What's happened
A cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham led to an eight-week boil water notice affecting 17,000 households. South West Water faced significant costs for cleanup and compensation. Meanwhile, flooding issues in Bedfordshire highlight ongoing drainage problems linked to infrastructure changes.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Sky News, South West Water had to implement a boil water notice after cryptosporidium was found in the Brixham reservoir, affecting 17,000 households. The company undertook extensive cleaning measures, which included flushing the water network 27 times. The Independent reported that the contamination was linked to cattle manure entering a damaged air valve, raising questions about agricultural practices and water safety. Meanwhile, BBC News highlighted the flooding crisis in Bedfordshire, where residents like Ms. Johnson faced devastating losses due to inadequate drainage systems, suggesting a need for urgent infrastructure improvements.
How we got here
In May 2024, cryptosporidium contamination in Brixham's water supply resulted in widespread illness and a boil water notice. Concurrently, flooding in Bedfordshire raised concerns about drainage management following road construction.
More on these topics
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Pennon Group plc is a British water utility company based in Exeter, England. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. 83% of the company's profits come from its subsidiary, South West Water.
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Devon, also known as Devonshire, is a county of England, reaching from the Bristol Channel in the north to the English Channel in the south.
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South West Water provides drinking water and waste water services throughout Devon and Cornwall and in small areas of Dorset and Somerset. South West Water was created in 1989 with the privatisation of the water industry.