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Complacency warning on water bug Complacency warning on water bug
(20 minutes later)
A consumer watchdog has warned that there is "no room for complacency" after 45,000 people in north Wales were told to boil their drinking water.A consumer watchdog has warned that there is "no room for complacency" after 45,000 people in north Wales were told to boil their drinking water.
Welsh Water issued its third warning in three years after a rise in bacteria was detected at a treatment plant.Welsh Water issued its third warning in three years after a rise in bacteria was detected at a treatment plant.
The company says the warning for customers in Gwynedd and Anglesey will stay in place for at least two weeks.The company says the warning for customers in Gwynedd and Anglesey will stay in place for at least two weeks.
Diane McCrea, chair of the Consumer Council for Water Wales, said clean and safety water must be the priority.Diane McCrea, chair of the Consumer Council for Water Wales, said clean and safety water must be the priority.
AREAS ADVISED TO BOIL DRINKING WATER Bangor, Bangor side of Felinheli (marina), Beaumaris, Bethesda, Capel Curig, Cwm y Glo Gaerwen , Gallt y Foel, Gerlan, Llanddaniel, Llanddeiniolen, Llandegai Llandegfan, Llanfaes, Llanfairpwll, Llangoed, Menai Bridge, Mynydd LlandygaiPentir, Rachub, Rhiwlas, Sling, Talybont, Tan y Foel, TregarthSource: Welsh Water
Mrs McCrea said the council's job as consumer champion was to challenge the water company on customers' behalf to deliver "the safe quality drinking water that they expect and deserve".Mrs McCrea said the council's job as consumer champion was to challenge the water company on customers' behalf to deliver "the safe quality drinking water that they expect and deserve".
She said: "I understand that the company is in the process of upgrading the treatment works which is involved in this outbreak. AREAS ADVISED TO BOIL DRINKING WATER Bangor, Bangor side of Felinheli (marina), Beaumaris, Bethesda, Capel Curig, Cwm y Glo Gaerwen , Gallt y Foel, Gerlan, Llanddaniel, Llanddeiniolen, Llandegai Llandegfan, Llanfaes, Llanfairpwll, Llangoed, Menai Bridge, Mynydd LlandygaiPentir, Rachub, Rhiwlas, Sling, Talybont, Tan y Foel, TregarthSource: Welsh Water She said: "I understand that the company is in the process of upgrading the treatment works which is involved in this outbreak.
"I will be calling for the company to get its other remedial works done as quickly as possible," she added."I will be calling for the company to get its other remedial works done as quickly as possible," she added.
Mrs McCrea said welcomed stringent new regulations water companies were now required to give consumers warnings as soon as there was any evidence of bacteria in water supplies. Mrs McCrea said welcomed stringent new regulations water companies were now required to give consumers warnings as soon as there was any evidence of bacteria in water supplies.. We have a grandmother living here... and she's very fragile, so I'm concerned as to how that would affect her Hannah Hughes, Llanfairpwll "It's no good waiting until people are ill. They have to be given the warning to boil their water and take precautions themselves."
"It's no good waiting until people are ill. They have to be given the warning to boil their water and take precautions themselves."
The advice to boil applies to the Bangor, Menai Bridge and Llanfairpwll areas, as well as the village of Capel Curig.The advice to boil applies to the Bangor, Menai Bridge and Llanfairpwll areas, as well as the village of Capel Curig.
One resident, Hannah Hughes, of Llanfairpwll, who has to boil water for the second time in three years, said: "We have a grandmother living here - my mother-in-law - and she's very fragile, so I'm concerned as to how that would affect her.
"And also of course there's all the boiling of the water - there's seven of us living in the house."
The area's tap water comes from the Mynydd Llandegai water treatment works, which takes supplies from the Marchlyn Bach and Ffynnon Lligwy reservoirs.The area's tap water comes from the Mynydd Llandegai water treatment works, which takes supplies from the Marchlyn Bach and Ffynnon Lligwy reservoirs.
Closely monitoring Reservoir
Welsh Water has apologised for the inconvenience to customers.Welsh Water has apologised for the inconvenience to customers.
It said an increase in levels of cryptosporidium was found after "routine water quality sampling," which "prompted us to take this precautionary measure to protect public health."It said an increase in levels of cryptosporidium was found after "routine water quality sampling," which "prompted us to take this precautionary measure to protect public health."
The company said "extensive" further water sampling was needed. The company said "extensive" further water sampling was needed.A sign in a nursing home reinforcing the safety messageCryptosporidium is a parasite found in humans and animals and can cause temporary diarrhoeal illness. Its eggs are killed by boiling water.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in humans and animals and can cause temporary diarrhoeal illness. Its eggs are killed by boiling water.
The National Public Health Service for Wales has asked local GPs to report any cases of diarrhoea and to take samples to be tested for gastrointestinal infections such as cryptosporidium.The National Public Health Service for Wales has asked local GPs to report any cases of diarrhoea and to take samples to be tested for gastrointestinal infections such as cryptosporidium.
It is "closely monitoring" the levels of illness in the area affected and advising people to maintain good personal hygiene - including washing hands with soap and warm water if they had vomiting and diarrhoea or were looking after someone who was ill.It is "closely monitoring" the levels of illness in the area affected and advising people to maintain good personal hygiene - including washing hands with soap and warm water if they had vomiting and diarrhoea or were looking after someone who was ill.
Reservoir
For several days in mid-August, almost 5,000 people in the Tywyn, Aberdyfi, Bryncrug, Rhyd-yr-Onen and Brynglas areas of Gwynedd were also advised to boil their tap water after the quality was affected by heavy rainfall.For several days in mid-August, almost 5,000 people in the Tywyn, Aberdyfi, Bryncrug, Rhyd-yr-Onen and Brynglas areas of Gwynedd were also advised to boil their tap water after the quality was affected by heavy rainfall.
It followed tests which showed some cryptosporidium parasites in the water.It followed tests which showed some cryptosporidium parasites in the water.
In November 2005 a total of 231 people were left ill in Gwynedd and Anglesey after cryptosporidium affected affected a Snowdonia reservoir.In November 2005 a total of 231 people were left ill in Gwynedd and Anglesey after cryptosporidium affected affected a Snowdonia reservoir.
The water company was fined £50,000 after admitting supplying unfit water in that case.The water company was fined £50,000 after admitting supplying unfit water in that case.
An investigation is under way by the Drinking Water Inspectorate into the latest case and Mrs McCrea said she would be urging it to make its report public as quickly as possible.An investigation is under way by the Drinking Water Inspectorate into the latest case and Mrs McCrea said she would be urging it to make its report public as quickly as possible.
She will also ask the water company to distribute bottled water immediately to people on their vulnerable register.She will also ask the water company to distribute bottled water immediately to people on their vulnerable register.
Any customers who want more information can call 0800 052 0130.Any customers who want more information can call 0800 052 0130.