Boil notice still in place for parts of the South Hams following cryptosporidium outbreak

Residents in Kingswear and the surrounding areas are still part of the Boil Water Notice following the South West Water cryptosporidium outbreak. 

South West Water's Incident Director, David Harris, released a statement today, Monday, 20 May.

The statement said: “Our teams on the ground continue to work as quickly as we can to resolve the situation in the Hillhead supply area, where we are still advising around 2,500 properties to boil their drinking water before consuming.

“We are urgently investigating the damaged air valve on private land which we believe to be the probable cause, and following the draining and cleaning of Hillhead reservoir we have now refilled the largest of the two tanks within the reservoir and we have isolated the second tank.

“We are working 24 hours a day, and early this morning we commenced flushing of the wider Hillhead network as we work to eliminate any traces of cryptosporidium. We will not lift the boil water notice in Hillhead until we and our public health partners are completely satisfied it is safe to do so.

“Our bottled water stations in Broadsands, Freshwater Quarry and Churston remain open to customers across the Brixham area between 7am and 9pm daily.”

Anthony Mangnall MP, released a statement over the weekend, which said: "

Commenting on this news, Anthony Mangnall MP said: “The illness suffered and inability to access safe drinking water has been totally unacceptable. The continued Boil Water notice for residents relying on the Hillhead reservoir must be accompanied by a further increase in support and compensation from South West Water.

“It is my priority to see this situation resolved as quickly as possible and that those who are suffering from illness receive the support they need. I will continue to liaise with the Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as local authorities such as Torbay Council, South Hams District Council and Brixham Town Council to support residents.

“I share the anger of the residents of Brixham and the surrounding area, and we need clear answers as to why this has happened and what has caused it. South West Water must provide them in short order and begin the very long journey of trying to reassure the public that they can manage their water network.

Businesses have adapted remarkably well to the challenges of recent days, so I would like to reassure residents and visitors alike that Brixham, like the rest of Torbay and South Devon, is very much open for business as usual!”

Three bottled water stations are currently open for those affected to collect free bottled water. These are located in Broadsands Car Park, Freshwater Quarry Car Park and Churston Car Boot Field, and are open from 7am to 9pm.

Any residents who are on South West Water’s Priority Services register, are vulnerable or unable to access a bottled water station are receiving bottled water on a rolling 24 hour programme. Any residents who have not yet received bottled water but believe they should have done can contact SWW directly on 0344 346 2020.

South West Water has confirmed that household customers issued with a Boil Water notice will receive £115 compensation. Customers who pay by Direct Debit will receive payment direct to their bank account by 21st May, while those who do not have a Direct Debit arrangement will receive credit on their water account.

South West Water has set up a dedicated line for retailers and businesses to discuss any impact on their businesses. The number is 03332 343 293 and the line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.