South West Water has issued a Boil Water Notice to around 16,000 households and businesses in the Brixham area, advising them not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first.
This step has been taken after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed it is investigating cases of cryptosporidium. Customers in the Alston and Hillhead areas of the network are affected, which supplies customers in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North West Paignton.
Rolling updates from South West Water include information on bottled water collection points for the public. The company has confirmed that household customers who have been issued with the Boil Water Notice will receive an automatic payment of £115 by 21 May. The company is also undertaking deliveries to vulnerable customers, care homes, schools and hospitals.
South West Water believe they have located the source of the issue but are continuing their investigations. The boil water notice therefore remains in place.
Advice to customers is to not drink your tap water without first boiling it and allowing it to cool. This applies to water used for drinking, cooking, preparing food or brushing teeth. Boiled water can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You may use normal tap water for washing, bathing and toilet flushing.
Ministers are receiving regular updates on the situation and meeting with senior representatives from South West Water and the local authority to ensure every step is taken to resolve the situation and return clean water supplies as soon as possible.
A Defra spokesperson said:
"We are receiving regular updates South West Water, who are working with the Drinking Water Inspectorate and UK Health Security Agency, to identify the source of the contamination. We need South West Water to resolve this issue and ensure clean water returns to the Brixham area as soon as possible.
"We will also be working with the local authority, MPs and other partners locally to ensure the local community is supported during this time.
"We can assure residents that boiled water is safe and we ask them to continue to follow the boiling measures as advised."
A spokesperson for the Drinking Water Inspectorate said:
"The Drinking Water Inspectorate has been informed of reports of illness affecting supplies in the Brixham, Devon area. South West Water are investigating these reports and are working with the relevant health authorities. The Inspectorate has been notified of the potential contamination of drinking water and is investigating the cause, extent, and actions of the company.
"Consumers should follow the company's advice if they are within the affected area and should contact South West Water if they require further information.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said:
"The Environment Agency is engaged locally with UK Health Security Agency and South West Water who are responding to cases of cryptosporidium that have been reported in Brixham, Devon. We urge residents to follow any advice given."
