More than 100,000 households in Northamptonshire are being told to boil tap water for drinking after a bug was found to have contaminated supplies.
More than 100,000 households in Northamptonshire are being told to boil tap water for drinking after a bug was found to have contaminated supplies.
Tests found cryptosporidium in a sample from supplies to Northampton, Daventry and surrounding villages.
Tests found cryptosporidium in a sample from supplies to Northampton, Daventry and surrounding villages.
The parasite causes stomach upsets and the most common symptom is diarrhoea.
The parasite causes stomach upsets and the most common symptom is diarrhoea.
Anglian Water is trying to trace the bug's source but said it might take a long time as a large area is affected - some schools have also been closed.
Schools in the area which do not have enough bottled water may have to close. Scientists from Anglian Water are trying to trace the bug's source.
Northamptonshire County Councial have said: "In light of the warning to households in the county to boil water, schools in those affected areas are being advised to close if they do not have stocks of bottled water."
About 108,000 households across 85 communities in the north of Northamptonshire are affected by the contamination.
They are referring concerned parents to their website which is giving advice.
Anglian Water vans equipped with loudspeakers have been sent out to warn people about the problem.
A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "Due to the size of the area affected, bottled water will only be delivered to special needs customers on Anglian Water's WaterCare register as soon as possible.
A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "Due to the size of the area affected, bottled water will only be delivered to special needs customers on Anglian Water's WaterCare register as soon as possible.
"The company apologises for the inconvenience this will cause, but stresses that the health and safety of its customers must come first."
"The company apologises for the inconvenience this will cause, but stresses that the health and safety of its customers must come first."
Daily water samples
Daily water samples
About 85 communities across the north of Northamptonshire are affected and Anglian Water has sent out vans with loud hailers to alert residents to the problem.
A statement from Northamptonshire County Council said: "In light of the warning to households in the county to boil water, schools in those affected areas are being advised to close if they do not have stocks of bottled water."
The water company is investigating the cause of the outbreak which the spokesman said affects one of their largest water sources at Pitsford Reservoir, north of Northampton, but could be anywhere in the system supplied from there.
The water company is investigating the cause of the outbreak which the spokesman said affects one of their largest water sources at Pitsford Reservoir, north of Northampton.
They also say they are aware that the most vulnerable people are the elderly and the very young and bottled water supplies are being sent to them if they are on their WaterCare register.
Analysts, who scrutinise about 1,000 water samples every day, spotted the contamination during the routine tests. They raised the alarm when one of the tests failed and was checked a second time.
The company spokesman said Anglian Water carries out about 1,000 water sample tests a day and they were alerted to the cryptosporidium when one of them failed and was checked a second time.
The results of the second test came out early in the morning and an alert was issued - but tracing the cause may take a long time as the reservoir supplies such a wide area and a large number of homes.
The results of the second test came out early in the morning and an alert was issued immediately but tracing the cause may take a long time as the reservoir supplies such a wide area and a large number of homes.
Anglian Water advises customers with worries about their health to contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Anglian Water advises customers with worries about their health to contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Do you live in Northamptonshire? Have you been told to boil your water? Or has your child's school been closed as a result of this bug? If you have been affected by the cryptosporidium bug send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
Do you live in Northamptonshire? Have you been told to boil your water? Or has your child's school been closed as a result of this bug? If you have been affected by the cryptosporidium bug send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
