21st Aug 2015 13:53
LONDON (Alliance News) - United Utilities PLC is installing the first of several ultra-violet rigs in an attempt to kill the "last remaining traces" of the water bug that has plagued customers in Lancashire for over two weeks and pledged to pay compensation to those who have suffered as a result.
However, the company has not said when it expects the water to be safe for consumption, despite customers being affected for more than two weeks.
The company reported that routine tests at Franklaw water treatment works in Preston on August 6 had detected small traces of cryptosporidium - a microscopic bug - in the water, causing the company to urge customers to boil water before consumption or use.
Customers in Blackpool, Chorley, Fylde, Preston, South Ribble and Wyre are still being advised to boil water for all drinking, food preparation and brushing of teeth.
Two weeks ago, on August 7, United Utilities had said the problem would persist "into early next week at least", suggesting the bug has been trickier to remove than first thought.
Since the discovery of the bug, United Utilities has said traces of the bug have been decreasing and "improving all the time" as tests continued.
On Friday, the utility company said it was installing the first of several ultra violet rigs which are "capable of killing the last remaining traces".
"The UV technology is being used in strategic locations across the network following a detailed analysis of how the cryptosporidium bug is working its way through the system," it said in a statement.
"Installing the rigs is one of United Utilities' biggest ever engineering projects, with teams expected to compete the work in days, something which would typically take months," it added.
The UV rigs are being installed at Warbreck, Weeton, Westby, White Bull, Heighton and Haughton service reservoirs. These are vast storage chambers which hold the water before it is piped to local homes and businesses. Water will pass through the UV rigs, destroying any remaining traces of the bug.
"United Utilities has pledged to compensate all households affected by the boil water notice. Businesses who believe they have suffered loss of earnings due to the notice are being advised to write in to United Utilities with details," it said.
United Utilities shares were down 0.8% to 888.50 pence per share on Friday afternoon.
By Joshua Warner; [email protected]; @JoshAlliance
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