Devon water crisis – live: MP brands South West Water ‘contemptible and incompetent’ as parasite infections rise
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South West Water: ‘Boil water’ warning lifted for most homes across Devon after parasite outbreak
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An MP has branded a water company “contemptible and incompetent” as the number of people infected with a waterborne parasite in Devon continues to rise.
South West Water (SWW) has been blamed amid fears drinking contaminated tap water is what has led to more than 100 residents falling ill in the area of Brixham, which the company supplies with water.
Anthony Mangnall, the MP for Totnes and South Devon, said on Saturday that the firm’s response to the crisis has “put a lot of people’s health at risk”.
Chief executive of SWW, Susan Davy, was forced to apologise on Friday over the outbreak, saying she was “truly sorry”.
It comes as SWW said 14,500 households can now drink their tap water safely – however, 2,500 properties in Hillhead, upper parts of Brixham, and Kingswear have been advised to continue to boil their water beforehand.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of parasite cryptosporidium had been confirmed in Brixham, up from 22 cases on Thursday, while more than 100 people reported symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach pains and dehydration.
Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay’s director of public health, has warned the number of infections may continue to increase for “up to two weeks” due to delays in symptoms developing.
Key Points From Live coverage
Inside the picturesque harbour town facing a dirty water crisis
“Beautiful, isn’t it”, calls over a tourist wearing a bright blue “I love Devon” T-shirt. And as I stand in Brixham harbour looking up at the rows of pretty ice cream-colour homes in the warm lunchtime sunshine, it’s hard to disagree.
Since the 19th century, this quintessential harbour town has justifiably become a hotspot for holidaymakers on a stretch of coast in Torbay known affectionately as the English Riviera.
But amidst the chatter inside the fish and chip shops, fudge-makers and pubs, it’s not the upcoming bank holiday, or even the appointment of a new manager at Torquay United that’s the topic of conversation.
Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease which can cause symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in Devon, up from 22 reported on Thursday. Around a 100 more people had reported the same symptoms, and cases were expected to rise.
Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again
Thousands of people in Brixham can now safely drink their tap water again after days of being told to boil it first following a parasite outbreak, the region’s water supplier has announced. About 16,000 households and businesses in the Brixham area of Devon, supplied by South West Water (SWW), had been told not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in the town and that more cases were anticipated.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/devon-water-parasite-outbreak-uk-b2547475.html
