Schools still shut over water bug

Cryptosporidium lodged in the lining of the intestine

Nine Northamptonshire schools have remained closed after cryptosporidium in tap water made supplies unsafe.

Anglian Water is also advising 250,000 residents of Daventry, Northampton and nearby villages to boil water for drinking and food preparation.

The company is providing bottled water to schools but some will not be delivered until Thursday afternoon.

Experts are trying to identify how the parasite, which can cause severe stomach upsets, got into the supply.

The main focus of their scrutiny is the Pitsford water treatment works, which serves the main water reservoir in the part of Northamptonshire affected by the cryptosporidium contamination.

An Anglian Water spokeswoman said: "Scientists are working around the clock to find the source of the problem and are investigating, in minute detail, the Pitsford water treatment works.

"Bottled water is being delivered during the day to schools, nursing homes and children's nurseries in the affected area."

Anglian Water said 37,000 bottles of water was being delivered to schools, hospitals and care homes on Thursday and the same amount would be delivered every day until the problem was resolved.

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Around 250,000 people have been told to boil water before consuming

The spokeswoman said: "We are advising that the bottles delivered to school are taken home by pupils and filled with cooled water from the tap that has been boiled. If it is kept in the fridge overnight children will have water for the next day."

Most of the schools that have remained closed are small primaries.

Karen Graystone, head teacher of the 10-pupil Queen Eleanor Primary School in Northampton, said she decided to keep the children away because she had not been given a guaranteed time for bottled water to be delivered.

But, depending on the size of their delivery, the school expected to be open on Friday.

Woodford Halse primary school in Daventry, with 375 pupils, had water delivered early on Thursday morning but stayed shut.

Bursar Julie Turner said: "Our parents helped out by boiling water for the first day and we had bottles of water on site but decided it was not appropriate to continue for another day in this way.

"We were concerned mainly for the very young children so decided to close.

"But we are happy now that Anglian Water has delivered the bottled water supplies."

The bug was found in a sample taken from Pitsford Water Treatment Works

Experts search for bug's source

People 'coping' with problems

Warning notices have been sent out advising residents and businesses of the cryptosporidium problem and of the importance of boiling water.

The water company has been accused of causing confusion after some notices were sent to Kettering and surrounding areas not affected by the contamination.

New "green" cards will be issued to reassure these people in unaffected areas, the spokeswoman said.

She added that engineers were "re-zoning" supplies in some areas which means diverting water from unaffected areas.

An advice and response unit is being set up in Northampton's central Market Square where Anglian Water experts and customer service staff will be available to answer any concerns of residents, she said.

Northampton MPs Sally Keeble and Brian Binley have called for a full investigation by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) into the pollution of the town's water supply.

Anglian water has apologised for the inconvenience of the current situation but said the water was safe to drink if it was boiled and cooled beforehand.

But a cure to the problem may take weeks to find.

Anglian Water has also written to GPs and hospitals asking them to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of cryptosporidiosis.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever. The illness can be more serious in people with weak immune systems such as the elderly or very young.

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: