Cryptosporidium outbreak statement issued by South West Water

South West Water (SWW) has assured it is 'working around the clock' to restore contaminated water supplies in Torbay back to normal as soon as possible. It it still yet to confirm the source of the cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham, other than to say it is 'currently focused on the water network in the Hillhead area'.

Yesterday, May 15, SWW confirmed it had detected 'small traces' of the organism in Alston and the Hillhead area of the coastal town - less than 24 hours after stating it was safe to drink the water after all its water supply tests had come back clear.

Today, Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, whose constituency also includes Brixham, publicly announced on his Facebook page that cause is said to be a damaged air valve in the Hillhead area. He added the valve 'may have allowed animal waste or contaminated groundwater to enter the local supply'.

Read next:

• MP says source of Brixham cryptosporidium contamination has been found

• Live: Brixham school shuts and latest cryptosporidium updates

The latest data supplied by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) was publicised yesterday, May 15, when it announced 22 confirmed cases. It has not been disclosed where those people live but the 'majority' are in Brixham, according to the agency.

Despite a number of attempts by DevonLive to gain a full list of postcodes that have contaminated water, South West Water (SWW) has not provided the information and has instead referred to its website where people can type in their own postcodes to check.

SWW has 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. It is said to be continuing to address the source of the outbreak of the parasite infection that causes symptoms including watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for two to three weeks.

A SWW spokesperson said: "We are conducting enhanced monitoring and physical checks of our network and storage tanks. We will continue to work around the clock to restore supplies to normal. We will keep customers updated via our website and social media."

When asked how the water became infected, it replied: "We are working hard to establish the cause and are currently focused on our water network in the Hillhead area based on the water quality monitoring data and the pattern of illnesses reported by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)."

SWW was also asked for its response over vast widespread criticism over the way it has handled the outbreak with many customers angered that they were told to drink the water and then were told it was not safe. Fury has also been shared that communication with residents is said to have been 'appalling' and that customers remain confused from the SWW map whether they are affected or not.

SWW responded stating: "The data we had available to us did not indicate a problem with the water supply. However, further tests taken early this week in the Brixham area found small traces of cryptosporidium and we therefore issued the boil water notice."

Today, SWW set up a bottled water station Freshwater Quarry Car Park in Blackball Lane, Brixham, Previously the only one was four miles away in Broadsands Car Park in Paignton which was set up yesterday.

Today, Eden Park Primary School in Brixham closed as it said it could not safely open for students without clean drinking water. Torbay Council is not aware of any other school closures and is working with SWW to ensure early years settings receive bottled water.

Locals have reported local shops and supermarkets have recently been selling out of water. The Spar confirmed yesterday it was bringing in increased supplies.

Regarding the supply of water to schools, the SWW spokesperson said: "We mobilised yesterday [May 15] and delivered bottled water last night to all schools in the area."