South West Water has said that hundreds of people may have been infected with a parasite due to a faulty valve. 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis have been confirmed in Brixham, Devon according to Public Health, with up to 100 people reporting symptoms to their GP last week. Laura Flowerdew, the chief customer officer of South West Water, said that a “damaged valve on part of our network which could be the cause”. The government has stated that the incidents will be “investigated thoroughly” by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and UK Health Security Agency to fully identify the cause.
Infections like this can be caused by contaminated water being ingested through swimming pools or streams. Due to the infections, residents in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham have been advised to keep boiling their water for at least another week to prevent potential infection. In addition, the company had distributed 129,000 two litre bottles of water while investigations and testing of the water network continued.
South West Water confirmed that initial compensation of £15 for affected residents had risen by a further £100 since the company was “recognizing the severity of this incident.” Despite this, residents in the area are reportedly “angry” and “really cross.” Hillhead resident Jane Boyle said the response from SWW had been “pathetic”. Another resident Hannah queued at Broadsands car park, where the company has been handing out bottled water, noting the lack of clear communication from the company in the early stages of the crisis.
Conservative MP for Totnes and South Devon, Anthony Mangnall, has said he is “very concerned” about SWW’s response to the outbreak. He believes they have been slow to act and communication with customers has been very poor. In response, a government spokesperson said that “Any water company that’s found to be in breach of rules on drinking water should expect to face the appropriate enforcement action up to and including criminal prosecution
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