A GOVERNMENT minister has been told there has been no contamination of the water supply by the cryptosporidium bug discovered at Pitsford Water Treatment Works.
In a written statement, Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, said: "The clear advice I have received from the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water is that there is no contamination of the water supply.
"I understand that Anglian Wa
ter are ahead of schedule for returning supplies to normal and will tell customers as soon as is practicable about the lifting of the boil notice."
A spoesman for Anglian Water said: "The health and safety of our customers remains an issue that we are not prepared to compromise on at any time.
"Following exhaustive investigation, we identified and eliminated the source of the Cryptosporidium. We have subsequently cleaned the water treatment works and are now well advanced in flushing out the associated distribution mains and cleaning water towers and reservoirs.
"Preliminary data indicates that the Cryptosporidium oocysts have now been identified as a type that is of low infectivity to man and the risk is therefore significantly reduced.
"However, we await further confirmation and would ask customers in the affected areas to continue to boil their water until they receive the all clear.
"As soon as we and other relevant agencies are confident that customers can use their water supply as normal, we will be advising customers accordingly."
