Tank in South Devon where waterborne parasite found drained
It's been linked to infections of cryptosporidium in Brixham
South West Water say a water tank in South Devon where a parasite was found has been drained.
The water company said the tank in the Hillhead reservoir was emptied overnight on Friday after the parasite was detected there.
It's believed the tank was linked to a damaged valve from private land containing cattle, that South West Water believe is the "possible cause" of cryptosporidium infections in Brixham.
The UK Health Security Agency reported on Friday that cases had risen to 46, more than double the 22 reported on Thursday.
Another 100 people are believed to have similar symptoms.
David Harris, Drought and Resilience Director at South West Water said:
"As part of our ongoing investigation, a damaged valve on private land has been identified as the possible cause, which has since been isolated from the network and repaired.
"As you would expect, we are urgently investigating how this happened, while working to rule out any other possible sources of contamination elsewhere in the network.
"The water tank at Hillhead reservoir, where tests confirmed the presence of cryptosporidium earlier this week, was drained overnight and will be thoroughly cleaned today.
"Once complete, we will start refilling the water tank later today. Officials from the Drinking Water Inspectorate are also on site to monitor progress, and daily testing continues to take place at points throughout our network.
MP: Response 'contemptible and just generally incompetent'
A boil water order affecting 16,000 households remains in place in Brixham.
South West Water are operating three bottled water sites over the weekend, and have upped compensation to those affected to £115.
But the village's MP, Anthony Mangnall, told the PA News Agency that the company's response has been "contemptible and just generally incompetent."
"The predominant failure is the fact that earlier in the week, South West Water was asked whether or not this was to do with their network and they categorically ruled it out, only for them to change their position 24 hours later.
"It's put a lot of people's health at risk.
"That, to me, is one of the most serious indictments because they were made aware of this by a large number of people, including myself who raised this with them, and so to not actually respond in a manner that would safeguard public health, I think is deeply problematic."
Mr Mangnall added he would raise the ongoing outbreak in the House of Commons, and that he is "absolutely determined not to the jump the gun" before assigning responsibility.
He also urged South West Water to ensure businesses, as well as residents, are fully compensated.
"We've got to help build the town back up, and that's going to take some time do - and South West Water is going to be absolutely on the line for compensation on that front as well."
David Harris, Drought and Resilience Director from South West Water, added:
"Our overriding priority must be the health and safety of our customers. Over the past four days, we have been working tirelessly to identify and resolve this issue. We are deeply sorry for the impact this disruption is having on daily lives.
"We have set up water collection points at Fresh Water Quarry Public Car Park (TQ5 8BA), Broadsands Car Park (TQ4 6HX) and Churston Car Boot Sale Field (TQ4 7BQ), which are open over the weekend, and our ground teams have been working hard, delivering over 386,000 bottles of water so far.
"To support customers while we continue to resolve this issue, our compensation payment has been increased to £115. This payment will be made automatically where we have direct debit details or applied as a credit to customers’ next water bill where we do not. Customers do not need to take any action."