'Do not drink tapwater' notice for 34 properties

Yorkshire Water is providing bottled water to affected residents

Some North Yorkshire residents have been told not to drink tap water under any circumstances, even after it has been boiled, after tests showed the water supply to be contaminated.

Yorkshire Water said 34 properties in the Nidderdale area, near Harrogate, had been affected by what a spokesperson described as "elevated physicochemical anomalies" in the water supply.

The affected addresses included homes in Darley, Menwith Hill, Birstwith, High Birstwith, Forest Moor, Felliscliffe and Lofthouse, which are rural communities in the HG3 2 postcode area.

A boil water order, which was announced previously, remained in place for a further 43 properties in the same area, the firm said.

Residents affected by the "do not drink" order have been told boiling would not purify their water.

They have also been advised not to cook or prepare foods with tap water, clean their teeth with tap water or let their pets drink it.

However, tap water could be used for washing and bathing, toilet flushing and for washing dishes and clothes, according to the water company.

Michael Smith, 71, who lives in one of the affected properties, said he had received bottles of water from Yorkshire Water.

"On Friday night, I got a call from Yorkshire Water and they said it's not even drinkable now after boiling," he said.

"Over the weekend and yesterday I've received probably up to 64 litres of water because I've got to wash all of my veg and everything, as well as any drinking water.

"It would just be nice to know what the problem is."

Mr Smith added that mostly those living on farms were affected by the order, but cattle were still able to drink because of recent rain.

'Investigations continuing'

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said routine sampling of drinking water on 10 October had detected low levels of coliforms.

Coliform is a family of bacteria which includes E. coli and can cause significant illness in the frail, the elderly, the sick and the very young.

"As a result, boil water advice was put in place for properties in the HG3 2R, HG3 2Q, HG3 2J, and HG3 2L postcodes. This advice remains in place," they said.

"We have been working hard to trace the source of the coliforms and have taken several proactive steps, including flushing the network, testing private supplies to rule out any contribution to the reading, and fitting non-return valves where needed."

The spokesperson added that during the investigation into the source of the coliforms, the company had been conducting additional water sampling.

"These tests have identified elevated physicochemical anomalies in one area," they added.

"In accordance with regulatory requirements and our internal procedures, we have advised customers in that area not to consume the water under any circumstances. This is known as issuing Do Not Drink advice."

The firm said investigations were continuing into the source of this secondary issue, which was in a rural area where a number of properties had Yorkshire Water supplies and their own private borehole supplies.

"We are working to ensure that the Water Regulations are being met in these properties and that there are no cross-connections between the two that could give rise to the issues experienced," they said.

"We understand this is frustrating for the customers impacted and we'd like to thank them for their patience while we carry out our investigations."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.