MP’s blast as some water restrictions lifted

A Wyre MP has criticised water bosses for how they have handled the Fylde coast water drama.

Thousands of Fylde coast homes are still unable to drink water from the tap as United Utilities’ boil water notice – which has been in place since August 6 – remains.

However, people living in the FY0 1, FY1 1, FY1 2, FY1 3, FY1 9, FY2 9,FY4 1, FY4 2, FY4 5, FY8 1, FY8 2, and FY8 3 postcodes were last night told they could stop boiling water.

But Ben Wallace, MP for Wyre and Preston North, said: “They haven’t made it very clear what residential customers will get as compensation. They need to be in the business of reassurance. I think that’s something that’s been missing.”

He continued: “They are lifting restrictions by postcode. Of course I’m disappointed we (Wyre) aren’t first.”

He claimed much more advice was needed by local businesses about what they could and could not do with water supplies: “They need to go and see these businesses and at the same time provide reassurance to customers by being very explicit about what sort of compensation they’ll get.”

He said he understood businesses would be compensated for loss of earnings on a case by case basis. Domestic customers pay a portion of their rates for clean water and he said he felt the charges for the weeks where clean water was not available should at the very least be repaid or taken off next year’s water charges.

Meanwhile, United Utilities is advising customers to check its website to see when and if advice on boiling their drinking water is being lifted. A spokeswoman said that ultra violet light rigs were being installed at key locations to treat water supplies She said: “It’s being done as quickly as we can.”

It’s hoped that the restrictions regarding boiling drinking water will be lifted imminently.

For all our previous coverage on the water contamination situation in Lancashire visit the links below:

Parasite found in water supply

WATER SCARE: What is Cryptosporidium?

Shelves cleared amid water scare