'Contemptible and incompetent': MP slams water company's response to Devon parasite crisis
18 May 2024, 15:12 | Updated: 18 May 2024, 15:25
A Devon MP has branded a water company's response to a parasite being found in the water supply as "contemptible and just generally incompetent".
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Anthony Mangnall, the MP for Totnes and South Devon, where there has been a cryptosporidiosis outbreak, said "heads will roll" for the crisis.
Some 16,000 households and businesses in the area are unable to use their tap water without boiling and cooling it first.
Some 46 cases of cryptosporidiosis, a disease which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in the town. Hundreds more people have reported similar symptoms and authorities expect cases to rise.
The cryptosporidium parasite that causes the illness is likely to have got into the local water supply through a faulty valve. Water company South West Water (SWW) has since apologised.
Mr Mangnall said: "The predominant failure is the fact that earlier in the week, South West Water was asked whether or not this was to do with their network and they categorically ruled it out, only for them to change their position 24 hours later, which I think is contemptible and just generally incompetent - and it's put a lot of people's health at risk."
He accused SWW of failing to "safeguard public health" and would "be absolutely on the line" to compensate local businesses which have lost money because of the outbreak.
The MP said he would be raising the matter in the House of Commons and with the area's local authorities but was "absolutely determined not to jump the gun on this". He added: "I want to make sure that before we get to the sentence, we know the verdict - that to me is really important."
Speaking earlier to LBC News' Chris Golds, he said: "This is such a serious matter that... I think heads are going to roll over this, but it's more important to get the system back up and running, make sure people have confidence in the network rather than pointing fingers.
"We do the investigation afterwards and we will make sure that those who are responsible are held to account.
"We have a situation report every morning with all the health authorities and organisations and the Secretary of State for Health, Victoria Atkins, has been very active on this as well. We have scaled everything up. We're obviously making sure the resources are there and the local hospitals and facilities, if it were needed.
"Thankfully, it does not seem as though people are going into hospital but it is making sure that people have got access to all the medical resources they need and that has all been scaled up."
Dr Bayad Nozad, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said the Government agency was aware of further reports of illness above their confirmed numbers.
He said: "Please do not contact medical services to report cases unless you need urgent clinical care. If your symptoms last longer than seven days, or if you experience more severe symptoms such as blood in your poo, please contact your doctor who may recommend taking a sample for testing.
Caller Louise on the contaminated water warning in Devon
"Those with symptoms should stay off nursery, school and work for 48hrs since the last episode of illness and anyone with diarrhoea should not go swimming for 14 days after the last episode of illness."
Typical symptoms can include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, and usually last for about two weeks but can be longer, Dr Nozad said.
News of further confirmed cases comes after a health expert said residents should "expect to see further cases for at least ten days to two weeks".
SWW issued a "boil water notice" for Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham after water tests showed "small traces" of the parasite, which causes sickness and diarrhoea.
"It's like something out of 28 Days Later", James O'Brien tells Devon resident Chris
SWW chief customer officer Laura Flowerdew said on Thursday a damaged air pipe in a field containing cattle was a potential source.
Residents are being urged to boil water and let it cool before drinking it, preparing or cooking food or cleaning their teeth, though the company said water can continue to be used as normal for washing, bathing and flushing the toilet.
The disease can be picked up directly from the faeces of another person or animal, from swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or even by eating contaminated food such as unwashed vegetables.
