Boil Water Chaos Hits Thousands in Devon After Parasite Found in Reservoir
South West Water Keeps Residents Guessing
South West Water has left 16,000 households and businesses in Devon unsure when they can stop boiling their tap water. The company’s chief customer officer, Laura Flowerdue, refused to give a clear timeline after a parasite was found in the Hillhead reservoir.
Flowerdue blamed a broken air valve contaminated by animal faeces, likely from cattle in a nearby field. “We’re still working through the operational processes to link the root causes,” she said. She added that repairs and flushing the system must come first before lifting the notice.
Despite pressure, Flowerdue would not commit to how long the boil water order will remain. “We want to give the right information to customers, but are not ready to be definitive yet,” she said.
Chaos in Devon as Cryptosporidium Detected
Initially, residents were told their water was fine. That changed when “small traces” of the cryptosporidium parasite were discovered, sparking the boil notice in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland, and North West Paignton.
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis, with 70 more possibly linked. Dozens have fallen ill, forcing local schools like Eden Park Primary to close due to lack of safe drinking water.
Public Outrage and Pressure Mount
The public fury is growing. Locals face rationed water supplies — just six litres per person at distribution points — with long queues and mounting frustration.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous. People are going out buying water, we pay for water already!” one resident fumed.
Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall slammed South West Water’s handling of the crisis and warned the boil notice could last “at least a further 6 or 7 days.” Healthcare calls have surged amid the uncertainty, adding to the community’s misery.
Authorities Scramble to Solve the Crisis
South West Water insists they are investigating other possible contamination sources before lifting the notice. They acknowledge the valve near the reservoir is damaged but want to confirm it’s the sole culprit.
Meanwhile, officials are working hard to contain the outbreak and provide bottled water to affected residents. The water crisis in Devon remains fluid, with no quick fix in sight.
