Boil water warning after parasite found

People across south Devon have been advised to boil their tap water as 22 cases of a diarrhoea-type illness have been confirmed. A further 70 suspected cases are also being investigated. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the parasite, cryptosporidium, was "predominantly a waterborne disease". Infections can be caused by drinking contaminated water or swallowing it in swimming pools or streams.

South West Water (SWW) said the Hillhead reservoir and the wider Alston area was being investigated as a potential cause for the outbreak. Dr Lincoln Sargeant, director of Public Health in Torbay, said about 40,000 people get their tap water from the reservoir. “In terms of people who have actually been affected we have to date 22 confirmed cases and about 70 to 100 people have contacted their GP with similar symptoms over the last few days.”

South Devon residents have been queueing for bottled water from South West Water. SWW has urged residents across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton to boil their tap water. Chris Rockey, from SWW, said people should boil water to drink, cook and clean their teeth within the affected areas. He said the firm would continue to work with "health professionals and monitor the water" and that it had started its investigation after it was contacted by the UKHSA on Monday.

The company said data from tests on Tuesday showed treated water leaving its treatment works was not contaminated, but further tests overnight found small traces of cryptosporidium. SWW said it was confident boiled water was safe and had issued the advice as a precaution. Mr Rockey said he was unable to provide a timeframe for how long residents should continue to boil water. He said further advice would be issued when the water supply had "returned to normal".