Town's water supply declared safe

3:13pm Tuesday 18th December 2007

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DRINKING water has been declared safe more than a week after a contagious parasite, which can cause diarrhoea and stomach cramps, was found in a town's supply.

Four schools were closed for two days, thousands of householders were told to boil their tap water and gallons of bottled water were delivered after cryptosporidium was discovered at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

"We are delighted to be able to lift the boil water notice. We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused and would like to thank everyone for their patience and co-operation."

C2C general manager Wayne Earp

The scare also affected all of the military personnel at what is Europe's largest British Army base, as well as businesses in the town.

The warning to boil water was lifted today after the repair and recommissioning of a filter at Lownethwaite water treatment works, near Catterick, and consultation between treatment company C2C, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the area health authority. Health officials said that no incidents of illness linked to the water supply had been reported.

The North Yorkshire Health Protection Unit confirmed that tap water in the area was now safe to drink and the likelihood of anyone having been infected through the contamination was slight.

A statement from the unit said that no cases of cryptosporidiosis had been detected, but urged anyone who suffered from diarrhoea over the next week to visit their doctor and contact the unit on 01904-567675.

C2C, which looks after the water treatment works on behalf of the MoD, worked around the clock to remedy the problem since the presence of the cryptosporidium bug was confirmed on December 10.

Water quality sampling has been carried out since, and there has been no further evidence of the bug detected.

C2C general manager Wayne Earp said: "We are delighted to be able to lift the boil water notice. We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused and would like to thank everyone for their patience and co-operation."

Householders and water users that were affected will receive official notification from C2C through their doors, that their water is again safe for all uses.

The C2C telephone helpline - 0121 722 6200- which was set up to deal with enquiries following the incident will remain open until Friday, from 8am to 5pm daily.