Residents have been urged by Anglian Water to boil all their water until further notice to protect them from a bacteria called cryptosporidium found in water supplies which can cause severe stomach upsets and can pose a serious health risk to the very young and elderly.

The problem, which affects 250,000 people, could take weeks to resolve.
Areas at risk include Old, Walgrave, Sywell, Hannington, Holcot, Scaldwell, Pitsford, Brixworth, parts of Northampton and Daventry.

It has also been reported Pitsford Reservoir could the source of the bug.

A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "This is being taken very seriously as it could lead to real health problems for the very young and elderly.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause."

The bacteria was found during routine tests of the water supply.

Last year, there was a similar problem in Norfolk, following flooding that took 10 days to resolve.

Chrissie Osborne, who lives near Hannington and has livestock, is among those affected.

She said: "I wasn't aware of this and have just drank some water with a
tablet.

"I'm not a great water drinker but I know lots of young people drink water these days so I'm afraid they might be at greater risk.

"I fill the water up for my hens but the rest of my animals drink from the water which collects in their troughs so hopefully they will be alright. I want to know if something could have been done to avoid this problem or whether it has been caused through mismanagement of the water."

The advice to boil water applies to any tap water which is used for drinking, cooking, cleaning teeth or for pets, but customers have been reassured tap water remains safe for washing, bathing and toilet flushing.

Alternative water supplies are currently being investigated for the affected areas, but due to the size of the area affected bottled water will only be delivered to special needs customers on Anglian Water's WaterCare register.

For further information visit www.anglianwater.co.uk. Anyone who is worried about their health should contact their doctor or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Click here to read about the bottled water shortage.

Click here to read more about the closure of schools.

Click here to read more about Cryptosporidium.

Click here to read more about how pets could be affected.

Click here to read a Cryptosporidium Q and A.

Click here to read a police warning.


If you affected by the crisis sign-in by clicking the blue Register button or post your comments to here.


The following areas have been affected:


Collingtree

Grange Park

Great Houghton

Hardingstone

Northampton -castle

Northampton -delapre

Northampton - kingsley

Northampton Kingsthorpe

Northampton St Crispin

Northampton St James

Northampton - Weston

Wootton

Northampton billing

Northampton eastfield

Northampton ecton brook

Northampton headlands

Northampton lumbertubs

Northampton thorplands

Northmpton weston

Great Houghton

Northampton abbington

Northampton Boughton green

Northampton castle

Northampton eastfield

Northampton headlands

Northampton Kingsley

Northampton Kingsthorpe

Nothamtpon Parklands

Northampton St Crispin

Northampon St David

Northampton Thorplands

Northampton weston

Boughton

Brixworth

Chapel Brampton

church brampton

cottisbrook

hannington

harleston

holcot

moulton

northampton boughton green

northampton st david

old

Overstone

Pitsford

scaldwell

sywell

walgrave

Ashby St Ledger

Badby

Braunston

Bugbrroke

Byfield

Canons Ashby

Catsby

Charwelton

Collingtree`

Daventry

Dodford

Everdon

Fatheringstone

Fawsby

Flore

Grange Park

Harpole

Hellidon

Kislingbury

Milton Malsor

Nether Heyford

Newnham

Norton

Preston Capes

Rothersthorpe

Staverton

Stowe Nine churches

Upper Heyford

Upton

Weedon Bec

Welton

Woodford cum membris

Duston

Northampton Kingsthorpe

Northampton Spencer

Northampton st james

Upton