Devon water crisis – live: Residents no longer have to boil drinking water, supplier South West Water says amid parasite outbreak
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South West Water: ‘Boil water’ warning lifted for most homes across Devon after parasite outbreak
Thousands of households in Devon can now use their tap water safely after a waterborne disease caused by a microscopic parasite led to more than 100 residents falling ill.
Supplier South West Water (SWW) said it was no longer required for 14,500 households in Brixham to boil their water before drinking it.
However, some 2,500 properties in Hillhead, upper parts of Brixham, and Kingswear have been advised to continue to boil their water before drinking.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of parasite cryptosporidium had now been confirmed in the Brixham area of Devon, up from 22 cases on Thursday, and more than 100 people reported symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach pains and dehydration.
Cryptosporidium is a diarrhoea and vomiting illness that can be caught by drinking contaminated water.
News of further confirmed cases comes after a health expert said residents should “expe
ct to see further cases for at least 10 days to two weeks”.
Residents of the fishing town complained of a lack of contact with SWW and its chief executive, Susan Davy, was forced to apologise on Friday for the outbreak, saying she was “truly sorry”.
Devon residents told tap water safe to drink without boiling
Thousands of households in Devon can safely drink their tap water without boiling it first, the area’s water supplier South West Water (SWW) announced after a parasite outbreak led to hundreds falling ill.
About 14,500 households in the Alston supply have been told they can drink their water safely, while 2,500 properties in Hillhead, the upper parts of Brixham and Kingswear still have to follow the advisory to boil their water before drinking.
The water supplier said that a “rigorous testing” of the water along with a consultation with the UK Health Security Agency and local authority’s environmental health department led to the decision yesterday.
SWW has also added that an additional £100 compensation, on top of the £115 that was announced earlier, would be paid to affected customers.
Close to 16,000 households and businesses in the region were told earlier this week not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/devon-water-parasite-outbreak-uk-b2547442.htm