South West Water (SWW) has confirmed that low levels of Cryptosporidium has been found in the local supply of water in and around Brixham.

The water company is advising residents in Brixham, Churston, Galmpton, Broadsands, Hookhills and White Rock areas to boil drinking water until further notice.

SWW will be hand delivering notices to all the properties affected. Text messages have also been sent.

You can check properties that have been affected by looking at the map on the SWW website. 

SWW are issuing this as a precaution following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning. 

Bottled water stations are being set up in the affected areas as soon as possible.

For those customers registered for Priority Services, SWW will be delivering bottled water direct to them. 

We will continue to work with SWW and the UK Health Security Agency on this and will provide further updates when we get them.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay’s Director of Public Health, said: ““We’re working with SWW and the UK Health Security Agency, NHS Devon and the Environment Agency to investigate 22 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium.

“There are further cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in residents and visitors to Brixham under investigation and more confirmed cases are expected.

“I would advise people to wash their hands thoroughly when handling food and after using the toilet, to help prevent the spread of further infection.

“Please follow the advice to stay away from nursery, school and work for 48 hours since the last episode of illness and do not swim for two weeks after being unwell.

“Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery.”

Find out more about Cryptosporidium