South West Water (SWW) incorrectly told nearly 30 households in Devon that they could stop boiling their water after a tank was infected with a parasite.
Those given the false message are being offered an additional £75 compensation, with SWW apologising for the error.
The company has blamed their digital mapping system for the incorrect letter, which comes amid an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, an illness linked to diarrhoea.
SWW lifted boiling restrictions for around 14,000 homes in the Brixham area, after quality monitoring results found no traces of the parasite which can cause sickness.
South West Water wrongly told nearly 30 households they could stop boiling water after a parasite outbreak
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However, 28 households received a second letter hours later which told them that cryptosporidium was still in the area’s water supply and that residents should continue to boil their water.
The water firm is still urging 2,500 properties in Hillhead, upper parts of Brixham and Kingswear to continue boiling water before drinking it.
SWW said they would not lift the notice in place for these homes “until we and our public health partners are completely satisfied it is safe to do so”.
There are 46 confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis in Brixham, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Source Agencies
