Devon water crisis – live: MP brands South West Water ‘contemptible and incompetent’ as parasite infections rise
Cases of waterborne disease in Devon likely to increase for ‘up to two weeks’, public health boss warns
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An MP has branded a water company “contemptible and incompetent” as the number of people infected with a waterborne parasite in Devon continues to rise.
South West Water (SWW) has been blamed amid fears drinking contaminated tap water is what has led to more than 100 residents falling ill in the area of Brixham, which the company supplies with water.
Anthony Mangnall, the MP for Totnes and South Devon, said on Saturday that the firm’s response to the crisis has “put a lot of people’s health at risk”.
Chief executive of SWW, Susan Davy, was forced to apologise on Friday over the outbreak, saying she was “truly sorry”.
It comes as SWW said 14,500 households can now drink their tap water safely – however, 2,500 properties in Hillhead, upper parts of Brixham, and Kingswear have been advised to continue to boil their water beforehand.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of parasite cryptosporidium had been confirmed in Brixham, up from 22 cases on Thursday, while more than 100 people reported symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach pains and dehydration.
Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay’s director of public health, has warned the number of infections may continue to increase for “up to two weeks” due to delays in symptoms developing.
This is the end of our live coverage
This is the end of our live coverage. Thank you for following our live blog.
Please visit The Independent’s homepage for all the latest updates.
Watch: Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again
Infections in Devon water parasite outbreak to keep rising for weeks, public health boss warns
The number of people infected with a waterborne disease following a parasite outbreak in south Devon is likely to increase for up to two weeks, a public health boss has warned.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease that can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in Brixham after people drank water feared to be contaminated with a waterborne parasite.
Around 16,000 households and businesses were told not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first, as more cases are anticipated.
Read more here:
Infections in water parasite outbreak ‘set to keep rising for weeks’
MP says anger in Brixham ‘palpable’ as at least 46 cases of disease linked to contaminated water are confirmed
Inside the picturesque harbour town facing a dirty water crisis
“Beautiful, isn’t it”, calls over a tourist wearing a bright blue “I love Devon” T-shirt. And as I stand in Brixham harbour looking up at the rows of pretty ice cream-colour homes in the warm lunchtime sunshine, it’s hard to disagree.
Since the 19th century, this quintessential harbour town has justifiably become a hotspot for holidaymakers on a stretch of coast in Torbay known affectionately as the English Riviera.
But amidst the chatter inside the fish and chip shops, fudge-makers and pubs, it’s not the upcoming bank holiday, or even the appointment of a new manager at Torquay United that’s the topic of conversation.
Alex Ross reports:
Inside the ‘blacklisted’ picture perfect harbour town facing a dirty water crisis
The holiday hotspot of Brixham in Devon has been rocked by a water problem that’s threatening public health as well as local businesses. Alex Ross reports
Local council leader blames SWW for parasite infections and brands its response ‘very poor’
A local council leader has blamed South West Water (SWW) for the outbreak of parasite infections in Devon and branded its response “very poor”.
Leader of Torbay Council, David Thomas, told The Independent: “It is their (SWW’s) job to provide clean, fresh water to the homes in this area. So I don’t know who else you would be suggesting where the blame should lie.
“I think in the beginning their response was very poor. They said there was no issue – I think at that point hindsight is a wonderful thing, they would’ve been better to say maybe there’s an issue. I think from when they got into full mode to deal with it, the resources that they pulled into this area were huge.”
However, he did add that what has been seen is “a community coming together”.
Himself living in one of the homes that have been affected, he said: “I absolutely understand the anger and upset and huge concern for everybody who’s been involved.”
He said three-quarters of the households impacted can now drink their take water safely, with hopes all will be able to by next weekend.
‘Boil water’ advisory lifted for most residents in Devon, water supplier says
Thousands of people in Devon can now safely drink their tap water after being told to boil and cool it first, the area’s water supplier announced after a waterborne illness made hundreds sick.
South West Water (SWW) said around 14,500 households in the Alston supply area could use their tap water safely, while 2,500 properties in Hillhead, the upper parts of Brixham and Kingswear still need to boil their supply before drinking it.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease which can cause symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in Devon, up from 22 reported on Thursday. Around a 100 more people had reported the same symptoms, and cases were expected to rise.
Shahana Yasmin reports:
‘Boil water’ advisory lifted for most residents in Devon
South West Water says around 14,500 households in Alston area could use their tap water safely amid outbreak of waterborne illness
Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again
Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again
Thousands of people in Brixham can now safely drink their tap water again after days of being told to boil it first following a parasite outbreak, the region’s water supplier has announced. About 16,000 households and businesses in the Brixham area of Devon, supplied by South West Water (SWW), had been told not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in the town and that more cases were anticipated.
New cases could continue to appear for weeks
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA), told the BBC that the parasite could be in the incubation period for up to two weeks.
“One of the problems when you’re investigating outbreaks like this is that the incubation period can be about 10 days to two weeks, so often in the past when I’ve been involved in investigating outbreaks by the time you know you’ve got a problem, the problem has resolved itself anyway, but you can’t guarantee that,” he said.
“Even if they have stopped all new infections by now, you would expect to see further cases for at least 10 days to two weeks.”
Prime minister Rishi Sunak calls for probe
A spokeswoman from Number 10 has said that the prime minister “understands the stress and worry this has caused residents”.
“He’s very clear that this must be investigated thoroughly by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and UK Health Security Agency.”
“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.”
The government has announced a quadrupling of inspections and provided increased powers to Ofwat and the Environment Agency to hold water companies to account, the spokeswoman added.
Resident collapses from illness after parasite contamination in Devon water supply
The UK Health Security Agency said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidiosis, a disease that can cause symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in the town, and hundreds more reported symptoms.
Chaz Attwood told Sky News his wife had been ill for 16 days after drinking the contaminated water.
“My wife has been drinking water to keep hydrated because she’s diabetic and the insulin that she’s had to have has doubled, and basically that affected her to start with,” he said.
“So that’s made her worse. We’re in a dreadful state. She was so weak I even phoned 999, and told the guy what was happening because she’d collapsed.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments