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| United Utilities water bug outbreak caused by 'animal waste' contamination | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Animal waste seeping into an underground tank contaminated drinking water supplies with the cryptosporidium parasite, a court has heard. | Animal waste seeping into an underground tank contaminated drinking water supplies with the cryptosporidium parasite, a court has heard. |
| United Utilities has admitted supplying water unfit for human consumption after up to 700,000 people were left unable to drink tap water for three weeks. | United Utilities has admitted supplying water unfit for human consumption after up to 700,000 people were left unable to drink tap water for three weeks. |
| The bug was found at Franklaw treatment works outside Preston in 2015. | The bug was found at Franklaw treatment works outside Preston in 2015. |
| The reservoir's risk assessment was "inadequate", a sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court was told. | The reservoir's risk assessment was "inadequate", a sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court was told. |
| United Utilities normally took water from its coastal aqueduct, the court heard. | United Utilities normally took water from its coastal aqueduct, the court heard. |
| When that aqueduct was being repaired, the company decided to use a supply from underground storage tanks at its Barnacre site. | When that aqueduct was being repaired, the company decided to use a supply from underground storage tanks at its Barnacre site. |
| 'Deep regret' | 'Deep regret' |
| The court heard a "structural defect" at the site had allowed a parasite from animal waste to seep in to the tank and water had been infected with the cryptosporidium bug. | The court heard a "structural defect" at the site had allowed a parasite from animal waste to seep in to the tank and water had been infected with the cryptosporidium bug. |
| The prosecution, brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), claims the site was not adequately assessed. | The prosecution, brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), claims the site was not adequately assessed. |
| United Utilities expressed "deep regret" at the incident and said it had voluntarily paid £25m to all households and businesses affected. | United Utilities expressed "deep regret" at the incident and said it had voluntarily paid £25m to all households and businesses affected. |
| People in Blackpool, Chorley, Fylde, Preston, South Ribble and Wyre were affected by the outbreak. | People in Blackpool, Chorley, Fylde, Preston, South Ribble and Wyre were affected by the outbreak. |
| Cryptosporidium - a microscopic parasite - was found during routine tests on 6 August 2015. | Cryptosporidium - a microscopic parasite - was found during routine tests on 6 August 2015. |
| It can cause diarrhoea and abdominal cramps if ingested. | It can cause diarrhoea and abdominal cramps if ingested. |