Alert over drinking water

Anglian Water have identified and eliminated the source of the Cryptosporidium.

However, customers are still being urged to continue to boil water until notified by Anglian water.

A green card will be sent through the post to inform the boiling notice is over. 

Anglian Water customers in Daventry, other areas of Daventry district and Northampton are being advised to boil drinking water before use until further notice. 

The measure is being advised as investigations continue into the presence of traces of the organism cryptosporidium in water supplies.  The organism can cause stomach upsets and the most common symptom is diarrhoea.

Only once drinking water has been boiled and allowed to cool should it be used for drinking, preparing food or cleaning teeth. This also applies to pets. Any ice made recently should be disposed of as a precaution.

Tap water remains quite safe for washing, bathing and toilet flushing.  Water filters or water purification tablets should not be used as an alternative to boiling.

Regular updates for residents will be given through local media and on Anglian Water's website www.anglianwater.co.uk and the Health Protection Agency website www.hpa.org.uk. Anglian Water's call centre number is 08457 145 145. To see if  your property is affected please click here.

People with concerns about their health should contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Simon Bovey, Managing Director of Daventry District Council, said the council was working with Anglian Water, the Health Protection Agency and other local authorities to give residents advice and updates on the situation.

He said: “We are working closely to minimise  the possible health risks to residents and we would urge them to follow the advice of Anglian Water and our environmental health officers by boiling drinking water before use.

“Residents seeking further advice should contact Anglian Water or the Health Protection Agency. Any affected businesses can seek further guidance from our environmental health team on 01327 871100.”

Schools in affected areas seeking further information should contact Northamptonshire County Council on 01604 236236 or go on the website at www.northamptonshire.gov.uk

Click here for Questions and Answers about this boil notice, which includes what you should and should not do.