UK utility United Utilities has urged 300,000 households to continue boiling their drinking water due to small traces of cryptosporidium found at a treatment plant...
The microscopic bug, which can cause stomach upsets, was initially discovered earlier this month during routine tests at the Franklaw water treatment works outside Preston.
Residents in parts of Lancashire were advised by the utility to boil water for drinking, brushing teeth and food preparation.
According to the utility, traces of the bug are continuing to decrease but the boiled water notice will not be lifted until United Utilities said it is “absolutely confident that there are no traces left in the water network”.
Gary Dixon, customer services director, at United Utilities, said: “The picture is improving all the time, with the traces of cryptosporidium continuing to reduce. However, we would ask customers to bear with us, and continue to boil their water for drinking and food preparation, until we are absolutely confident that the water is back to its usual very high standards.”
United Utilities said its scientists are continuing to test water samples, and engineers are flushing water pipes to expedite the process.
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