Tanya Matthews was ill as a result of the parasite (Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)
Several children and vulnerable patients continue to suffer serious health issues while hundreds are still refusing to drink their tap water, four months on from the cryptosporidium outbreak.
Residents of Brixham, Devon have joined forces to call for a prosecution of South West Water – claiming they were lied to and “manipulated” into believing that their supply was safe.
In May some 16,000 households were told not to consume their tap water although South West Water said publicly there had been only 100 confirmed cases.
But an action group insists the toll was up to 10 times higher.
Dozens of residents claim they have suffered “tortuous psychological games” and hospitalisations with babies, the elderly and vulnerable on drips. They claim some are still affected by respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses caused by the microscopic parasite.
The widespread water boiling restrictions were lifted on July 8 having being implemented by SWW on May 15. A notice remains in place in the Higher Brixham, Southdown, Upton Manor and St Mary’s supply area with customers advised to still boil their water before cooling and consuming it.
Dozens of residents met to demand action from SWW, amid claims that they have been “gaslit, cheated and deceived” for months.
For Sale…signs in Brixham where some residents still fear tap water (Image: Daniel Dayment, / SWNS)
South Devon’s Lib Dem MP Caroline Voaden was at a meeting and says the UK Health Security Agency has begun an investigation, which will take several months.
She said: “This will explore matters such as: whether the outbreak was avoidable, what South West Water did and how they handled it, what lessons can be learned, whether there were any breaches of regulations, whether the correct information was given out and whether anything was covered up.”
But she added: “I wouldn’t find it easy to trust South West Water.”
A public meeting arranged by SWW last month included its chief executive officer Susan Davy, but recording was not allowed.
One affected Brixham resident said the event was like “being in a prison”. Tanya Matthews, 42, added: “We didn’t really get any answers and were being eyeballed throughout the whole evening – at least six security were there – and many found it intimidating.
“They kept hiding behind the fact they are being investigated. Some of us were crying listening to what some people had to say, but Susan Davy was just stonefaced the whole time – it was like she was somewhere else.
“Then she told us about not accepting her bonus – but she has had a £300,000 pay increase in line with [the] .
“Most of us wouldn’t even earn an eighth of this in a year but she didn’t see an issue with this at all. The community are still not happy. If anything, it has made us more determined.”
Relief…bottled supplies in Paignton (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
The parasite causes cryptosporidiosis that can give people and animals diarrhoea, sickness, vomiting and dizziness as well as incontinence.
The UKHSA said there were 118 confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis but it acknowledged that many more people reported symptoms.
Brixham resident Sarah Treaser said: “All we want is to be able to drink the water – it is a basic human need. We want answers, and we will get the truth out.” Lisa Horswill, 54, and her husband Kris, 45, say they have been in and out of hospital for four months.
Kris has a pre-existing kidney disease and the couple say medics believe the bug has affected his gall bladder, liver and intestines.
Lisa, of Brixham, said: “It has ruined our lives. We want private medical treatment, respite care and to see South West Water in jail.
“They better be sorting out how to sort our family out. We have been ignored and are all being fobbed – South West Water are fobbing off everyone.”.
Some residents said they had symptoms “weeks” before the May announcement of curbs.
Jill Norfolk claims hers began on April 24, but she put her illness down to “gallstone rumbling, food sickness – everything but the tap water”. She helped organise community meetings and said: “It has been lies after lies after lies. They have lost my trust in my tap water.”
She claimed that some people who are still unwell cannot yet seek compensation.
Shannon Thame, 70 (Image: Daniel Dayment, / SWNS)
While Sharon Thame, 70, said: “I don’t want to live here anymore. It’s spoilt Brixham for me, South West Water have spoilt it. I want them to be held accountable.
“We are a close community and there is suspicion now they are saying the water is clear. We are all struggling and have been left horrified by it all.”
Sharon – among those residents still on bottled water – said: “All these people were becoming ill when nobody knew why – but why couldn’t South West Water have acted on the side of caution…but no, they insisted we keep drinking. I want the CEO prosecuted – she has done so much wrong and it is disgusting. It disgusts me the bonuses they earn.”
SWW’s boss Susan Davy said: “We will continue to do all we can to support the Brixham community. We were pleased to meet with some local residents …to listen to people who were impacted and share the steps we have taken since lifting the boil water notice.
“While the cryptosporidium outbreak was a rare event, we have and continue to take it extremely seriously. We have already implemented additional safety measures to ensure that the drinking water remains safe.”
She added: “We will not rest until we have restored confidence in the services we provide.”
The UKHSA commented: “During the outbreak, there were 118 cases of cryptosporidiosis confirmed.
“Many more people reported having symptoms and our study will help us understand the true extent of the outbreak.
“Residents were asked to complete an online questionnaire about any gastrointestinal illness that they may have had.”
The findings will be considered as part of the investigation.
The agency continued: “GPs continue to test where clinically indicated and have a low threshold of suspicion for anyone in the area with [gastrointestinal] symptoms.
“There is also surveillance in place to monitor the number of calls to GPs/111…a way to pick up on if there is an ongoing issue.”
Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection for UKHSA South West, added: “Anyone who is concerned about new or existing gastrointestinal symptoms should seek advice from their GP.”