Expert Public Health Lawyers Call For Thorough Investigation

Residents in large areas of Lancashire have been warned to boil water for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth after tests discovered traces of Cryptosporidium in the water supply.

United Utilities has issued the warning to residents of Blackpool, Chorley, Fylde, Preston, South Ribble and Wyre after the traces were discovered at the Franklaw water treatment works outside Preston.

Cryptosporidium can cause gastroenteritis and is commonly associated with diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and in some cases vomiting, fever and nausea

A spokesman from United Utilities said the warning was precautionary and residents have also been advised that they can still use tap water for bathing, washing clothes and flushing toilets.

Amandeep Dhillon, an expert Public Health lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who has represented hundreds of people who have suffer gastric illnesses as a result of exposure to Cryptosporidium, said:

Expert Opinion

The discovery of Cryptosporidium in the water supply in Lancashire is extremely concerning. <br/> <br/>“Cryptosporidium can have serious health implications for those affected and in our work we have seen first-hand the long-term issues that it can cause, from which some victims may never fully recover. <br/> <br/>“Protecting the general public from outbreaks of this nature is the main priority and it is vital that a thorough investigation is carried out to determine why and how Cryptosporidium came to be present in water supplies and that steps are taken to attempt to reduce the likelihood of further contamination occurring in the future. Amandeep Dhillon - Partner