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Scientists using ultra-violet to tackle water bug

27/06/2008

Scientists have begun using ultra-violet light to fight the bug which has contaminated water supplies in Northamptonshire.

Anglian Water announced the technique was a well-known cure for the parasite cryptosporidium which has affected a quarter of a million residents.

Customers are still being urged to boil tap water before drinking it in Daventry, Northampton and surrounding villages.

Schools also remain closed after the bug was discovered in the local supply.

Anglian Water today claimed it had "isolated the part of the process where the cryptosporidium was identified".

"We are now following a twin track approach: to restore full, normal operation of the plant and secondly to install ultraviolet treatment on the treatment process," the company said.

And a spokeswoman is quoted by the BBC as saying: "We have brought in three ultra-violet units and this is a well known technology for rendering cryptosporidium harmless.

"These units are being installed today. Meanwhile our advice is still to boil and then cool any water to be used for drinking or food preparation.

"We are advising that the bottles delivered to school are taken home by pupils and filled with cooled water from the tap that has been boiled. If it is kept in the fridge overnight children will have water for the next day.

"But we are delivering about 37,500 bottles of water to schools, hospitals and care homes every working day as long as the situation lasts, although this will be less at weekends as schools are closed," she said.