Boiled water can now be drunk says Severn Trent

About 140,000 homes lost their mains supplies when the Mythe treatment works succumbed to flooding last month.

A Severn Trent spokesman said if water was boiled, it could now be used for cleaning teeth, washing dishes and preparing food.

Last week residents were warned tap water should not be used even if it had been boiled.

Unboiled tap water can be used for flushing toilets and washing. The firm has admitted it had no flooding contingency plan in place at the plant.

Up to 350,000 people lost water when the works near Tewskesbury flooded on 22 July, with the water company warning it could be two weeks before supplies resumed.

Customer relations director Martin Kane said its flood defences were considered strong enough to withstand heavy rain.

"The site was built above the flood plain, so the protection was considered to be appropriate," he said.