United Utilities is advising customers to boil their water after traces of cryptosporidium were detected at Franklaw water treatment works following routine tests.
Although the traces are low, people in Blackpool, Chorley, Fylde, Preston, South Ribble and Wyre have been told to boil their drinking water for all drinking and eating purposes as a precaution until further notice.
Martin Padley, Chief Scientific Officer at United Utilities, said:
“The advice is being given purely as a precautionary measure as we carry out additional tests today. We apologise for the inconvenience but the health of our customers is absolutely paramount.”
People can continue to use tap water without boiling for general domestic purposes such as bathing, flushing toilets or washing clothes.
United Utilities said it is monitoring water supplies and is hoping to be able to lift the boil water advice as soon as possible.
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic bug which can cause gastrointestinal illness. United Utilities conducts round the clock water quality tests. The cryptosporidium traces were found in recent samples of water from Franklaw water treatment works – which supplies the area.
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