Residents of South Devon are grappling with a water contamination emergency as hundreds report falling ill.
A waterborne parasite known as cryptosporidium in the water supply has caused a wave of sickness, with reports of vomiting and diarrhoea among locals and visitors, with 22 cases currently confirmed. Locals in several areas, including Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland, and northeast Paignton, have been advised by South West Water to boil their water before consuming it, cooking with it, or even brushing their teeth.
Residents of Alston and the Hillhead area in Brixham were also issued a precautionary 'boil water notice' by South West Water (SSW) due to traces of the cryptosporidium parasite being found in recent water tests. The outbreak is expected to last for "at least" a week. To ensure access to safe drinking water, bottled water stations have been set up in affected areas, with vulnerable individuals receiving doorstep deliveries.
In an earlier statement, SWW issued an apology to its customers, stating: "We are working with public health partners to urgently investigate the source. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated."
As part of their response, SWW announced they would also be teaming up with the UK Health Security Agency and other health partners to find a solution to the problem as "quickly as possible". The statement read: "South West Water is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency and other public health partners to urgently investigate how cryptosporidium is getting into its network so it can be fixed and the drinking supply returned to the high-quality standards expected by its customers as quickly as possible."
A local MP later revealed the cause of the cryptosporidium outbreak had been identified as a faulty air valve. Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, whose area covers Brixham, said that the damaged valve could have let in animal waste or dirty water.
Residents of Brixham are also in line for a significant boost in compensation payments as SWW announced that affected residents will now receive £115 instead of the previously offered £15, as a "sorry for the stress and worry the situation has caused".
A spokesperson for SWW expressed regret, stating: “We sincerely apologise for the impact this situation has had on our customers in the Brixham and Alston areas. Safeguarding the health of our customers and ensuring they have access to clean, safe drinking water remains our utmost priority. We are committed to working tirelessly to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible.”
Source revealed:
In a statement on Facebook, Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, revealed a broken valve 'may have allowed animal waste or contaminated groundwater to enter the local supply'. The news was posted at around 11.30am today, May 16, following a meeting convened by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Shortly after, SWW issued a statement stating they have teamed up with the UK Health Security Agency and other health partners to investigate the issue, aiming for a prompt fix.
However, Mr. Mangnall voiced his criticism regarding SWW's response and management of the situation. He said: "I have just attended a meeting convened by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to receive an update from South West Water and the UK Health Security Agency. SWW believe they have located the source of the issue and initiated a fix, but are continuing their investigations and will be testing their network to ensure water is safe.
"The boil water notice is therefore likely to be in place for at least a further six or seven days, with bottled water available throughout this period. Vulnerable customers and those on the Priority Services register will continue to receive regular deliveries of bottled water, while those who are unable to access bottled water stations will be able to call SWW to receive a delivery.
"I am very concerned about SWW's response to this situation, as they have been slow to act and communication with customers has been very poor. This has certainly undermined trust in our water network, and I will certainly keep working with colleagues at DEFRA to ensure SWW are held to account over this issue."
School closures:
Eden Park Primary School refused to open due to safety worries about the tap water. The school made the decision after discovering their area's water needed boiling before drinking. Despite their efforts to secure clean water, including reaching out to authorities and suppliers, they're still waiting for assurances or bottled water.
In a statement released yesterday, the school expressed frustration, saying: "At the time of writing this update (7.30 pm), and despite repeated calls to SWW about the urgency of the situation, the school has not received any bottled water or assurances of when water will be delivered. To enable parents and carers to make childcare plans for the morning, leaders have made the difficult decision to close the school tomorrow, Thursday 16th May."
Responding to concerns, Torbay Council assured them they're addressing the issue. A spokesperson said: "We are also aware that Eden Park Primary School have made the decision to close today due to not have drinking water. We are not aware of any other school closures. South West Water is delivering bottles of water to schools and nurseries as well as continuing to distribute to their priority list."
Confirmed Cases and Investigations:
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 22 cases of cryptosporidium, a parasite-induced illness, in the Brixham area alone. Up to 100 people reported symptoms to their GP in the last week. Investigations are underway, with more cases of cryptosporidium expected to emerge. SWW issued a boil water notice for Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham after detecting small traces of the parasites in water tests. Investigations are underway into an additional 70 suspected cases.
Cause of outbreak illness:
Cryptosporidium, the causative agent of the illness, can be transmitted through various means, including direct contact with faeces, swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or consuming tainted food such as unwashed vegetables. Officials caution that manure containing Cryptosporidium can contaminate fields, rivers, and crops.
Collaborative efforts are underway to address the issue, with UKHSA South West, Torbay Council, South West Water, NHS Devon, and the Environment Agency working together to investigate.
Safety Measures:
SWW issued a warning on Tuesday after discovering small traces of cryptosporidium in treated water. Although initial tests showed no contamination, further examinations revealed the presence of the parasite. Residents are being advised to boil water before consuming, cooking, or cleaning their teeth to ensure safety.
However, the water remains suitable for everyday tasks like washing and bathing. The company assured its customers that they are collaborating with health authorities to identify the source of the issue. In a statement, they said: "We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated."
Sarah Bird, a health protection consultant at UKHSA South West, advised residents in affected areas to adhere to South West Water's guidance by boiling drinking water and allowing it to cool before consumption. She added: "Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery.
Symptoms and Precautions:
Symptoms of the illness include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss, and fever, which may persist for two to three weeks. While anyone can contract the disease, it is more prevalent among young children aged one to five years. It is recommended that those affected refrain from attending school or work for 48 hours after recovery and avoid swimming pools for 14 days.
