Warning: Tap Water problem Northampton

[John63]

Just seen this on todays ITN / Yahoo News.


Stomach bug found in water supply


People in parts of Northamptonshire have been told to boil drinking water after traces of cryptosporidium were found in the supply.

The stomach bug was found in the supply for Northampton, Daventry and surrounding villages.

The contamination affects Pitsford Reservoir, north of Northampton, and any tap water supplied from the reservoir could be affected.

Anglian Water has sent out vans with loudhailers, telling residents to boil their water before drinking.

They say bottled water will only be provided for vulnerable people on their WaterCare register.

[John63]

bump

[adamr]

This is particularly bad for anyone keeping reptiles, crypto WILL wipe out your collection.

A bit random I know

[PW1664]

The following areas have been affected:
Northampton, Collingtree, Grange Park, Great Houghton, Hardingstone, Boughton, Brixworth, Chapel Brampton, Church Brampton, Cottisbrooke, Hannington, Harleston, Holcot, Moulton, Old, Overstone, Pitsford, Scaldwell, Sywell, Wootton, Walgrave, Ashby St Ledger, Badby, Braunston, Bugbrooke, Byfield, Canons Ashby, Catsby, Charwelton, Daventry, Dodford, Everdon, Fatheringstone, Fawsby, Flore, Harpole, Hellidon, Kislingbury, Milton Malsor, Nether Heyford, Newnham, Norton, Preston Capes, Rothersthorpe, Staverton, Stowe Nine Churches, Upper Heyford, Upton, Weedon Bec, Welton, Woodford-cum-Mebris and Duston.

[Richard Mason]

Hmmm. Deja vu. ChristianG will remember this:

About 10 years ago, Sydney Water developed a lab analysis technique to find Cryptosporidium in drinking water and tried to sell their services to other water authorities in the country; basically, crypto is difficult to grow in the lab, so you actually have to filter them out of the water then look at the filtrate with a microscope - this was very time consuming as it previously involved the collection & filtration of huge volumes of water, and is basically impractical.

SW invented a new technique to detect the individual cysts and basically flick the droplet of water they are sat in, into a collection vessel, much quicker and way easier to count.

Only problem was that they were a bit like the dog that caught the car, they had no real idea of whether the bugs they found were of a type pathogenic to humans - as it turned out they weren't but unfortunately, the labrats couldn't tell them, one way or the other,, so they had to issue a general Sydney-wide (4 or 5 million people) "boil all drinking water" warning. Now unfortunately, this essentially meant all "potable water", meaning water used for almost all stages of the food production process. It was an absolute disaster, highly disruptive, it placed restaurants, food processors, fishing (they use ice), institutions such as kindergartens, hospitals, old folks homes etc under impossible pressure - and guess what - there was no detectable increase in Crypto cases, this despite the fact that Drs, hospitals, labs etc were all on heightened alert.

The whole city was in panic mode for about a month. But then Sydney always seems to be in the grip of some big crisis or other, transport, trains, planes, corrupt police, corrupt politicians, crooked politicians, unexpected hot/cold/dry/wet/windy weather etc etc - probably stems from 16 unbroken years of State Labor Govt)

It turned out that the Crypto they found had always been there, it was harmless to humans - classic case of having the results but not having any real idea of their significance, combined with a low-risk tolerance culture.

Not saying that's what's happened here at all, so if you live in an affected area - Boil Yer Water, but it will be interesting - where does the water in Northampton come from?

[milldog]

thats Woz fly tipping again near the reservoir

Graham

[Steve Summers]

Originally Posted by milldog

thats Woz fly tipping again near the reservoir

Graham

I assume that's a euphemism for one off the wrist?

Safe diving,
Steve

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Richard Mason

Hmmm. Deja vu. ChristianG will remember this:

About 10 years ago, Sydney Water developed a lab analysis technique to find Cryptosporidium in drinking water and tried to sell their services to other water authorities in the country; basically, crypto is difficult to grow in the lab, so you actually have to filter them out of the water then look at the filtrate with a microscope - this was very time consuming as it previously involved the collection & filtration of huge volumes of water, and is basically impractical.

SW invented a new technique to detect the individual cysts and basically flick the droplet of water they are sat in, into a collection vessel, much quicker and way easier to count.

Only problem was that they were a bit like the dog that caught the car, they had no real idea of whether the bugs they found were of a type pathogenic to humans - as it turned out they weren't but unfortunately, the labrats couldn't tell them, one way or the other,, so they had to issue a general Sydney-wide (4 or 5 million people) "boil all drinking water" warning. Now unfortunately, this essentially meant all "potable water", meaning water used for almost all stages of the food production process. It was an absolute disaster, highly disruptive, it placed restaurants, food processors, fishing (they use ice), institutions such as kindergartens, hospitals, old folks homes etc under impossible pressure - and guess what - there was no detectable increase in Crypto cases, this despite the fact that Drs, hospitals, labs etc were all on heightened alert.

The whole city was in panic mode for about a month. But then Sydney always seems to be in the grip of some big crisis or other, transport, trains, planes, corrupt police, corrupt politicians, crooked politicians, unexpected hot/cold/dry/wet/windy weather etc etc - probably stems from 16 unbroken years of State Labor Govt)

It turned out that the Crypto they found had always been there, it was harmless to humans - classic case of having the results but not having any real idea of their significance, combined with a low-risk tolerance culture.

Not saying that's what's happened here at all, so if you live in an affected area - Boil Yer Water, but it will be interesting - where does the water in Northampton come from?

Anglian Water is the company responsible, but the source could be river or well. Most likely river given it is a crypto contamination. Cow or sheep poo is usually the source IIRC.

Adrian

[chas49]

The source is stated to be Pitsford Reservoir.

(Fun at work - bottled water being given out - and I'm sure most of those getting it, don't usually drink water . Apparently local schools have been advised to close as well.

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by chas49

The source is stated to be Pitsford Reservoir.

(Fun at work - bottled water being given out - and I'm sure most of those getting it, don't usually drink water . Apparently local schools have been advised to close as well.

wait for an anti teacher comment now, from the fools not realising its for the kids health sake.