30/06/08
The benefits of the rigorous monitoring evident in the report Drinking Water 2007 (previous story) were also evident last week with the news of a cryptosporidium* alert affecting customers in Northamptonshire, who now have to boil water for drinking or cooking.
Despite the multi-barrier approach and disinfection technologies used in modern water treatment, there is a very slight risk that, at certain times and with certain raw water, small traces of cryptosporidium could be found in treated water.
The annoyance and frustration caused to customers affected is very much regretted but at the same time it is reassuring that the monitoring and analytical capabilities are in place to detect the presence of the bug at a very early stage.
Companies act quickly and work with local authorities and health protection units to advise customers to boil water for drinking and food preparation. This proactive and precautionary approach helps minimise the risk of an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, which can cause severe
stomach illness.
*Cryptosporidium
Technical briefing
Contact: Phill Mills
Latest news and policy direct to your desktop