Following the discovery of germs suggesting potential contamination with human or animal waste, a British water supplier had advised locals not to drink from their taps.
However, in a new update at 5:15pm on Wednesday, Yorkshire Water said: “We can confirm that we are now able to lift the boil water instruction at all affected properties in the local area as the water is now back to our usual high standards. Customers can now use their tap water as normal.
“We’d like to apologise to everybody impacted and thank them for their understanding and patience throughout.”
Yorkshire Water had stated that it was closely collaborating with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and will continue to collect samples to track the quality of the local water supply while attempting to address the problem.
But what exactly happened? Here’s a breakdown.
What is the tap water bacteria warning?
Yorkshire Water found above-average levels of the bacterium coliform in the local water supply this week, prompting the company to issue a boil order that affected around 200 post codes in three towns and villages in the area.
Usually found in the digestive tracts of both humans and animals, coliforms can include dangerous bacteria.
Residents of Burton, Low Bentham, and High Bentham in Lonsdale were the target of the warning. You can check if your area was affected on the Yorkshire Water website.
The water company supplied some bottled water for residents who had medical needs while the ban was still in place and advised anyone wanting to drink tap water should boil it first. It added that it was safe to use tap water for washing and showering, as well as washing clothes and dishes.
What could the consequences be of drinking the tap water with bacteria?
Faecal coliforms themselves can lead to gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhoea and stomach aches, but they can also signal the presence of other, more dangerous bacteria in a water source like E. coli.
Symptoms of an E.coli infection
People usually notice symptoms three to four days after they've been infected, these can include:
- Diarrhoea (about half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea)
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
A small number of people with E. coli infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms include:
- Tiredness
- Urinating less
- Bruising
- Swelling
Get in touch with your GP if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that under certain situations, drinking contaminated water can also result in more serious illnesses such cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
How to remove the bacteria
Yorkshire Water stated on Tuesday night that individuals in the impacted areas could be adequately protected by heating the tap water before drinking it.
The company said in a statement: “Tap water should be boiled for a few seconds and stored in clean, covered containers in a cool place for a maximum of 24 hours.”
This was recommended for water used for drinking, teeth brushing, and preparing items like fruit or salads that people want to consume uncooked.
“Water for babies’ feeds should be boiled - and allowed to cool - immediately before use,” Yorkshire Water added.
Boiling is a reliable procedure that eliminates most disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
As an alternative, some germs can be eliminated by using filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet (UV) purification.
But Yorkshire Water customers were advised not to use water filters in place of boiling, noting that water filters won't help get rid of bacteria - instead they “may trap contamination”.
