Devon water crisis – live: MP brands South West Water ‘contemptible and incompetent’ as parasite infections rise

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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.

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“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:

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.

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:

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.”

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.

A man says his wife collapsed after drinking water feared to be contaminated with a parasite.

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.”