Cryptosporidium Outbreak

27 June 2008

On Tuesday 24th June, the microscopic parasite, cryptosporidium, was found in the drinking water piped to the residents of Northampton, Daventry and surrounding areas. Three days on, the problem is still there. The parasite was found during routine tests for cryptosporidium and Anglian Water are now bringing in specialist equipment to track it down and treat it. This process could run into weeks.

The population of those areas, around 250,000, have all been told not to drink the water without boiling it first. This not only applies to drinking it but cooking with it, washing up, hydrating animals and cleaning teeth too.

The symptoms of a person who has ingested this parasite are severe diarrhoea leading to dehydration…ironically, treated with drinking lots of water! To tackle this, Anglian water has recommended for people to either boil their water or buy large quantities of bottled water to consume. In addition, Anglian water have delivered 37,000 two litre bottles to hospitals, care homes, schools, nurseries and other vulnerable customers.

It is safer to drink bottled water than tap water containing cryptosporidium; however, it is expensive and the enormous number of plastic bottles will do nothing for our landfill dilemmas.

The best way of filtering water to ensure that people do not suffer the consequences of a parasitic ingestion or bacteria such as E Coli, is to use a kitchen filter system using reverse osmosis technology. This fits neatly under the sink, is easy to install and removes 96% of contaminants or impurities in drinking water. These include chlorine and fluoride, amongst other unnecessary additions to our water. The water that goes through the filters is purified leaving a clean and healthy drinking water.

These units cost £9.99 a month + VAT and postage or can be paid in a one off payment by going to www.pure-eau.co.uk.
or Call us on 08000 33 61 60.

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