200,000 HOMES WATER SCARE

Warning systems flag bug concern

FEARS have been raised about a potentially dangerous bug at a water plant that serves 200,000 homes.

Warning systems “flagged” the cryptosporidium parasite at the Dunore Point facility near Crumlin, Co Antrim, last week.

It supplies households in South and East Antrim and North and East Belfast.

NI Water insisted water is safe to drink after they carried out a “tried and tested incident procedure”.

It did not specify which treatment works has been affected.

In a statement issued yesterday, a spokesman said: “Our testing procedures flagged some early warnings for cryptosporidium.

“In response, we implemented a tried and tested incident procedure in full consultation with Public Health Agency.

“NI Water took appropriate action and in consultation with the PHA ensured that there was no requirement to issue any precautionary advice to customers.

“It is important to emphasise samples are used to give early warnings to NI Water and do not automatically require further action by the public to change how they use their water.

“Therefore, we can reassure the public that every measure has been, and will continue to be, taken to safeguard their water supply.”

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause extreme diarrhoea. But for those with weakened immune systems, the symptoms can be severe or in some cases fatal.

HIDDEN THREAT Cyrpto bug can cause severe diarrhoea ANALYSIS Samples were tested by NI Water experts