South West Water issues 'boil water notice' after Cryptosporidium has been found in the South Hams

Cryptosporidium has been found in water Kingswear and Galmpton, as well as the wider Brixham area. 

Yesterday (15 May) South West Water's extended monitoring and sampling found small traces of cryptosporidium in the Hillhead area of its local water network.

South West Water map showing area with 'boil water notice', including areas of the South Hams

A statement from South West Water said: "South West Water issued a boil water notice to around 16,000 households and businesses in the area, advising them not to use their tap water for drinking or washing without boiling and cooling it first.

"As part of the boil water notice, customers were told they would be given £15 compensation under South West Water’s Customer Promise. South West Water has confirmed it will now increase the compensation by £100 to say sorry for the stress and worry the situation has caused.

"This will automatically be paid to customers and the company will continue to keep the level of compensation under review. South West Water is also setting up a dedicated phoneline to talk to local businesses and water retailers about the impact this may have had on them and to fast-track any compensation due."

Laura Flowerdew, South West Water’s Chief Customer and Digital Officer, said: “We sincerely apologise for the impact this is having on our customers in the Brixham and Alston areas. “Protecting the health of our customers and providing them with a clean, fresh drinking water supply is our number one priority and we will continue to work around the clock to make sure that happens as soon as possible.”

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".

The company has set up two bottled water collection points at Broadsands Car Park in Paignton, and Fresh Water Quarry Public Car Park in Brixham, where customers can collect bottled water. It continues to deliver bottled water for those customers that need it.

If you are concerned about your water, visit the postcode checker on the SWW website: www.southwestwater.co.uk/in-your-area/service-updates

Advice on the SWW website includes: 

• The data from our tests over the last several weeks showed that the treated water leaving our treatment works was not contaminated. However, in the Hillhead section of our network further tests taken overnight and working with the advice of UK Health Security Agency we have found small traces of cryptosporidium and are therefore issuing the boil water notice
• Cryptosporidium is a parasite which can cause sickness and diarrhoea if consumed – drinking water can become contaminated due to various reasons but we are fully investigating the cause
• We ask that customers informed of the notice do not drink tap water without first boiling it and allowing it to cool
• This should also be done for preparing or cooking food or cleaning teeth. Boiled water can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for 24 hours
• Water can continue to be used as normal for washing, bathing and toilet flushing
• If people have consumed the water and feel unwell, we advise they contact their GP

Anthony Mangnall MP convened a meeting with representatives from South West Water today, Thursday, 16 May.

Anthony Mangnall MP

Speaking after the meeting, he said: “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 South West Water are held to account over this issue.

“As well as speaking regularly to South West Water to stay up to date on this matter, I will also work with Torbay Council, Brixham Town Council, Kevin Foster and other local stakeholders to ensure better communication with residents. I held a further meeting this afternoon with South West Water and local councillors where again we emphasised the need for better communication to residents.

“My team and I are on hand to help those affected, and have even delivered bottled water to residents this morning.”