Damaged air valve in field of cattle is blamed as the source of Devon's parasite outbreak

Release time：2024-05-18 00:28:24 Source：International Investigation news portal

An outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasite in south Devon water supplies has been traced back to a damaged air valve in a field of cattle, utility bosses say.

South West Water (SWW) believes cryptosporidium parasites entered the network close to its underground Hillhead Reservoir outside Brixham - with cow manure fingered as the likely source of the bacteria.

Around 16,000 households and businesses have been told not to use water straight from the tap without boiling it first - but Wednesday's 'boil notice' came too late for dozens of locals who have been struck down with vomiting and dehydration.

Among them was grandmother Elaine Hollier, 80, from Brixham, who was taken to hospital on Saturday after suffering from symptoms of cryptosporidiosis for two weeks. 

Her husband has called for SWW bosses to be sacked. And in the meantime water bosses have refused to say when the boil notice will be lifted - leaving thousands uncertain of whether they can trust their taps.

Hillhead Reservoir, the underground reservoir where the outbreak of bacteria is thought to have originated

South West Water's Laura Flowerdew says the source of the contamination is likely to be cow faeces that got in via a faulty valve

Elaine Hollier (pictured with husband Dennis) has been hospitalised after drinking water contaminated with cryptosporidium bacteria

Mr Hollier was told to stay away from hospital while medics puzzled over condition - only realising she had ingested the bacteria after South West Water issued a 'boil water' alert

Locals in south Devon are being told to boil the water before using it for cooking or drinking 

Locals in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton in Devon were all told to boil water as a precaution

Laura Flowerdew, SWW's chief customer officer, told Sky News: 'We have identified that there is a damaged air valve on our network just near the Hillhead reservoir.

'We absolutely want to make sure that that is the only source and therefore are just ensuring that we've gone through all the right operational procedures.'

Asked if it was animal faeces that infiltrated the network, she told the broadcaster: 'We understand that this is a valve on one of the pipes that head towards the Hillhead reservoir, not on the reservoir itself.

'It's in a farmer's field and I understand that there are cattle in that field and therefore there's a possibility that that is therefore the source of the contamination.'

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She added that work is still under way to determine the cause of the contamination but that the damaged air valve 'does look like it's a potential source'.

Ms Flowerdew would not say how long the issues will last, adding: 'We are working hard to be able to give more decisive information about that timeline.'

SWW had previously said tests from Tuesday showed water leaving its treatment works was not contaminated - but further tests taken overnight into Wednesday showed traces of cryptosporidium. 

The utility firm initially said it would pay £15 in compensation to customers but this has been increased to £115. 

But the compensation will be unlikely to placate those who have suffered more than a major inconvenience to their water supply.

Elaine Hollier, 80, from Brixham, Devon, was taken away by paramedics on Saturday 11 May after suffering severe dehydration and vomiting for two weeks.

Medics were initially stumped by her condition until South West Water confirmed an outbreak of the parasite - affecting the homes of an estimated 40,000 people.

Her husband of 60 years, Dennis Hollier, initially thought they had fallen ill after eating undercooked sausage. But she is now one of hundreds of people suspected to have fallen ill after ingesting the parasite via contaminated water.

Mr Hollier says he was left worried sick after being told to stay away from hospital while doctors tried to figure out why she was so ill. 

South West Water unloading crates of bottled water to distribute to locals in south Devon

South West Water handing out emergency rations of bottled water to those affected by the Cryptosporidium outbreak

South West Water has set up two bottled water stations in the area and has also pledged to pay affected customers an extra £100 in compensation

Mr Hollier said of his wife's condition: 'She was absolutely diabolical. For four days I was trying to help her but I got so worried I phoned 111.

'The hospital didn't know how to treat her because they didn't know what was infecting her. 

'She had severe stomach pains and could hardly talk because she was so dehydrated.

How South West Water became one of UK's worst water firms

South West Water admitted finding 'small traces' of cryptosporidium in the water yesterday - marking the latest in a string of issues to hit the company after hundreds of locals complained of feeling unwell.

The water company spilled for 530,737 hours last year after 58,249 overflow incidents, it was revealed in March. This is an average of 390 hours per storm overflow and 43 per site.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed one woman is suing South West Water over sewage discharged into the sea which she claims have harmed her health and stopped her daily swims.

Before New Year's Eve, a sewer burst in Exmouth, Exeter, resulting in 240 tanker-loads of sewage being driven from the town in East Devon each day by South West Water as the burst pipes were repaired.

On Boxing Day 2023, footage showed filthy water flooding onto a popular Cornish beach - just hours after locals enjoyed a festive swim there.

'As soon as they confirmed there was a bug in the water the doctors said, "we know how to treat you now".

'I have been worried sick, I was even told to stay away from the hospital because they didn't know what it was.'

Mr Hollier claims he was told by South West Water that the water was safe to drink after he called to them say his wife was ill. 

'I phoned up South West Water to tell them what happened but they said you can carry on drinking the water,' he added.

'I know 10 people at least who have come down with it. It has been so upsetting to see my wife in a hospital bed with tubes sticking out of her arms for antibiotics. 

'She's got no appetite and no energy. I was dead worried for myself too because they didn't have a clue.'

Cryptosporidium can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals. The parasite can be ingested by swimming in or drinking contaminated water as well as other sources such as contaminated food.

It can lead to the disease cryptosporidiosis, which causes fever, a loss of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting. The NHS says most people recover within a month, if not less.

Mr Hollier says he also suffered symptoms but had a 'lucky escape' because he drinks less water than his wife.

He saw workmen at the Hillhead Reservoir pumping station a week ago and at the time thought nothing of it but now suspects the work may have been linked to the outbreak.

He added: 'It's a disgrace, doctors say she could take a month to recover. She is going to write to South West Water to say: 'you put me in hospital'.

'I think whoever is responsible needs sacking and the water company needs to explain what they knew and when because I don't think we have been told the whole truth.'

Images have revealed around a dozen South West Water vans gathered at Hillhead Reservoir, close to the source of the outbreak.

Locals in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton in Devon were all told to boil water as a precaution - including for drinking or using it to cook with and brush teeth - after SWW issued an alert yesterday.

The UK Health Security Agency said 22 people are confirmed to have the disease. As many as 70 other cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in residents and visitors to Brixham are also under investigation. 

Bottled water stations were set up to hand out supplies in the local area - with huge queues of cars visible from the skies. The crisis could go on for more than a week while the problem is treated.

Some people believe they contracted the bacteria while attending Brixham Pirate Festival earlier this month (pictured)

Shelves usually stocked with water are empty as people panic buy in a bid to avoid tap water

Eden Park Primary School in Brixham confirmed they would not open today following the outbreak

A No 10 spokeswoman said: '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.'

At Broadsands car park in Paignton, residents fumed at the unfolding disaster - which South West Water initially claimed was not related to its network.

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One resident said: 'I am furious this had happened. Water rates are incredibly expensive and now we are told we can't even drink it. 

'I think the bosses who take such huge salaries should come down here and explain to us how things have gone so wrong.'

Locals say the problem has been apparent for weeks, long before SWW acknowledged it on Wednesday. 

One local, James Martins, said: 'We have been ill for weeks with vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches. We are still feeling bad on-and-off.

'My understanding is it will be days or weeks before the reservoir is fully drained and in the meantime we have to boil our water.

'It has not been handled well by South West Water but all the staff we have dealt with have been wonderful, I think it's higher up the chain where the problems are'.

Local businesses have reported being affected by not being able to use tap water, saying the crisis is having a significant impact on trade.

John Ingram of The Bay Coffee Company in Brixham told MailOnline: 'We can't give anybody a glass of water.

'It is affecting trade - a lot more people are just not coming out.

'Everyone is now worried about getting ill.' He added: 'We're trying to adapt ourselves.' 

Long queues can be seen formed on a road in Devon as people queue up for bottled water

A computer render of cryptosporidium parasites, which can cause diarrhoea and dehydration if ingested

Mr Ingram said the cafe is using disposable cups instead of using the water to wash up. 

Revellers who travelled to Devon for Brixham Pirate Festival earlier this month feared they acquired the bacteria there. 

Meg Dew said her friends have been ill since attending the event, which took place between May 4 and May 6.    

'My 62-year-old mum has a bad stomach and diarrhoea,' she said. 

'My friends have been ill since the Pirate Festival... I didn't even know until this morning that there was anything wrong with the water.' 

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A local added on Facebook: 'A lot of people were over in Brixham for pirate festival so people in (postcode area) TQ3 might not be getting it from their water supply but caught it over that weekend.' 

MP Mr Mangnall has described SWW's initial failure to acknowledge a problem with the supply as 'enormously frustrating'.

He said earlier today: 'I am very concerned about SWW's response to this situation, as they have been slow to act and communication with customers has been very poor. 

'This has certainly undermined trust in our water network, and I will certainly keep working with colleagues at DEFRA to ensure SWW are held to account over this issue.'

But shelves in local supermarkets have been stripped bare of bottled water while one school in Brixham did not open today because, it claimed, SWW had not supplied it with bottled water for the day. 

Those infected by the parasite outbreak could be ill for up to a month, Professor Paul Hunter told Sky News.

He explained if the parasite cryptosporidium is 'a continuous thing' present in water supplies for a prolonged period, then 'you'd expect to see more cases'. 

South West Water is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in order to figure out how cryptosporidium is getting into the network.

How to tell if you've been infected with cryptosporidium 

Commonly known as 'crypto', cryptosporidium can infect the digestive system of animals and people.

Once there it causes symptoms like watery diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting, a fever, and loss of appetite.

Medics technically call this disease cryptosporidiosis.

Sufferers often have to endure these symptoms for two weeks before it is finally clear from their systems, but bouts of illness can last even longer, particularly in people with weakened immune systems like cancer patients.

Victims can also experience periods of false hope where their symptoms clear for a few days, making them believe they are finally over the infection, only for it to return.

Most people aren't offered treatment for crypto and instead are told to drink plenty of fluids and minimise contact with other people while waiting until symptoms pass.

People are typically infected with Crypto via contact with faeces containing the parasite, either from humans or animals that then enters their mouth.

These infected faeces can contaminate lakes, streams, swimming pools and, as appears to be the case in Devon, water supplies.

Risk of water supplies becoming infected is higher following periods of heavy rainfall and when animals are giving birth, such as the lambing season.

People can also get it by caring for people infected with crypto, particularly young children.

This can occur when people change a nappy and then put their hands near or in their mouth without washing them thoroughly, for example.

Other possible sources of infection are contact with infected milk, or from vegetables that have been fertilised with infected animal manure and not washed thoroughly.

Those infected by crypto are advised to take several steps to minimise passing the parasite on to other people in their household.

This includes washing dirty clothes, bedding and towels on the hottest setting, and not preparing food others until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours if possible.

The infected are also advised to stay off work and school until they have been symptom-free for at least two days.

As crypto can survive in faecal matter for long periods of time sufferers are asked not to go swimming until two weeks after their diarrhoea has stopped.

This includes both natural bodies of water as well as swimming pools as traces of infected dried poo can wash off an infected swimmer's anus.

Infected people can shed up to 100million cryptosporidium germs in a single bowel movement, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And swallowing just 10 is enough to get ill.

In regard to the current outbreak, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 22 cases of cryptosporidium infection been confirmed in the town of Brixham, Devon.

Residents have been told to boil the water to try and avoid contracting infection.

The water supplier for the area, South West Water, said 'small traces' of the parasite cryptosporidium, were found in the water supplies in Brixham.

UKHSA is leading an investigation into the outbreak. People living in two different areas have now been told to boil their tap water before drinking it, and bottled water stations are being set up.

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