Boil water restrictions lifted

The boil water notice has been lifted for every home in Lancashire, United Utilities has announced.

Just a day after homeowners in South Fylde were told they no longer needed to boil tap water, United Utilities announced its work to install ultra-violet treatment lights on the whole network was complete and working.

As part of its phased programme of clearing the water network of cryptosporidium, the firm said 54,000 Fylde coast homeowners were clear to drink tap water from Saturday evening – in the fifth week of the water crisis.

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A statement from the firm to customers on Sunday night said: “Through the combination of installing ultraviolet rigs and flushing of the network, we can confirm the water supplies are back to the normal standard.

“The boiled water advice is now lifted across the whole of Lancashire and all customers can now use their water supply as normal for all activities including drinking, food preparation and brushing your teeth.

“We’d like to thank all of our customers for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

“We do realise how frustrating this has been for you.

“We will write to affected customers to confirm your water is back to normal and compensation cheques are then issued separately by a second letter.

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“These cheques are already starting to arrive in the areas where the boil water advice had previously been lifted.

“We expect to issue cheques to all home owners and businesses by the end of this month.”

Last week, United Utilities announced customers would receive between £50 and £60 each – with the water crisis likely to set the business back by some £20m.

Business compensation will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

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A United Utilities worker – who wished to remain anonymous – last week said the problem had been caused by a pheasant getting into the water system.

However, UU bosses would not be drawn on the reason for the cause, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate will announce the reason once its investigation is complete.

A total of 300,000 households across the county had been boiling water since the beginning of August after cryptosporidium contamination was discovered, with restrictions eventually being lifted area by area.

On Sunday evening, United Utilities announced the advice had been lifted across the whole of Lancashire, and customers could use their water supply as normal.