Residents in a seaside town in Devon have been urged to boil their tap water after hundreds become unwell.
South West Water has issued an urgent warning following an outbreak of cryptosporidium which has triggered a wave of diarrhoea, sickness and stomach pains.
Locals in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton have been prompted to boil their water as a precaution when drinking it or using it to cook with and brush teeth.
The issue is being investigated after twenty-two cases of the bug - caused by a parasite - were recorded.
Residents in a seaside town in Devon have been urged to boil their tap water after hundreds become unwell
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Another 70 cases are under investigation by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Cryptosporidium can be caused by drinking or swimming in contaminated water and can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals.
According to South West Water (SWW), initial tests in Brixham came back clear.
However, the water company later admitted that "small traces of the organism" cryptosporidium were located in its water supply.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not yet commented on the suspected outbreak.
A South West Water spokesperson said: "Customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham are advised to boil their drinking water before consuming following new test results for cryptosporidium.
"We are issuing this as a precaution following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning. We are working with public health partners to urgently investigate the source.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated. Bottled water stations will be set up in the affected areas as soon as possible.
Cryptosporidium can be caused by drinking or swimming in contaminated water and can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals
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"For those customers registered for Priority Services we will be delivering bottled water to your address. For all customers who have been issued with the Boil Water Notice you will receive an automatic payment of £15, as part of our Customer Promise when services are interrupted."
People in the local area have complained of symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea.
"I started having stomach cramps and explosive diarrhoea nine days ago and it has been the same every day since," resident Tanya Matthews told DevonLive.
"I rang SWW yesterday and I was told there had been 15 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium and that UKHSA are looking into it as they don't believe it's to do with the water.
"They wouldn't expect this many cases over a whole year for all of Devon and Cornwall so something is amiss."
