Clear to drink again after parasite water caused diarrhea

May 18th 2024.

Clear to drink again after parasite water caused diarrhea
Good news for residents in the Alston supply area! According to South West Water, around 14,500 households can now safely use their tap water without having to boil it first. This means that thousands of households in the Brixham area of Devon no longer have to worry about the safety of their drinking water.

However, it's important to note that there are still some areas where the boil water notice remains in place. About 2,500 properties in Hillhead, upper parts of Brixham, and Kingswear are still advised to boil their tap water before using it. This precaution is due to the presence of a parasitic bug called cryptosporidium, which can cause severe stomach issues.

The bug is believed to have entered the underground reservoir through a damaged air valve in a nearby cattle field. SWW's chief customer officer, Laura Flowerdew, expressed her regret over the situation, stating that it has caused a lot of disruption, distress, and anxiety. She also assured the public that they are working tirelessly to resolve the issue and ensure a safe and reliable source of drinking water for everyone.

Fortunately, after rigorous testing, the boil water notice in the Alston supply area has been lifted. This decision was made in consultation with the Government's public health experts and the local authority's environmental health department. However, for those who are still unsure if they are affected, SWW advises them to use the postcode checker on their website or call their customer service for confirmation.

The damaged air valve near the Hillhead reservoir has been identified as the source of the contamination. SWW is taking all necessary steps to address the issue and ensure that it is the only source of the problem. In the meantime, they urge residents to follow the precautionary measures and continue to use boiled water in the affected areas.

When asked about the source of the contamination, Ms. Flowerdew explained that it is located in a farmer's field where there are cattle present. This suggests that animal feces may have infiltrated the network through the damaged air valve. However, SWW is still investigating the exact cause and taking all necessary measures to resolve the issue.

This is an ongoing news story, and we will provide updates as soon as they become available. Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, you can follow The Agency on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates. You can also sign up for their daily push alerts to receive articles directly to your device. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this challenging time.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]

 0
 0