‘Boil tap water' warning issued after high levels of harmful bacteria discovered in UK water supply

Scottish Sun

14-05-2025

BRITS have been urged to boil their tap water after tests uncovered high levels of harmful bacteria in the water supply.
Water people intend to drink, clean their teeth or wash salad with should be boiled before use, Yorkshire Water warned.
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People were urged to boil water before using it to wash food or brush their teeth
Credit: Getty
The company said it had issued a "boil order" for its customers in High Bentham, Low Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale following the discovery of coliform bacteria during routine testing.
The germs widely found in the environment, particularly in water and soil.
"They are a commonly used indicator of sanitary quality of foods and water," according to a report on water quality and management.
While coliform bacteria themselves are generally harmless, their presence in drinking water can mean there's a risk of other, more harmful germs contaminating the water too.
This is because coliform bugs - such as E.coli and Enterococci - are often found in the digestive tracts of animals and humans, suggesting faecal contamination and the presence of other disease-causing germs.
Yorkshire Water said: "We regularly check our drinking water to make sure it meets our high standards and during routine tests we've found the water supply in High Bentham, Low Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale didn't meet our usual standards.
"While we investigate this, we're asking all customers to boil their water as a precautionary measure to keep everyone safe. "
The company explained that coliform bacteria had been found in water samples gathered during routine testing.
"Whilst our treatment processes take out any impurities in the water to make sure it's of the highest quality, the coliform bacteria we have found in these samples is higher than we would normally see so as a precaution we are asking that customers boil their water before use until further notice.
"Our water quality team will continue to take samples to monitor the quality of the water in the area whilst we work hard to resolve the issues. "
Food Standards Agency explains E Coli
Yorkshire Water said it was "working closely" with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the matter.
Customers living in the affected postcodes received hand delivered notices about the boil order.
The company provided a full list of affected postcodes on their website.
People in these areas who become unwell were urged to tell their doctor about the boil order if they seek medical help.
As of 5:30pm on April 13, the order was still in place "until further notice".
"We are working to resolve the issue and our most recent tests show that the situation has improved," the water provider said.
"We will be in touch to let you know when everything is back to normal."
Sun Health has contacted Yorkshire Water for further updates.
But the company assured customers that "boiling your water before consuming it is sufficient protection" against the bacteria.
Symptoms of an E.coli infection
Escherichia coli O157, sometimes called STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), is a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure.
The NHS lists the symptoms as: Diarrhoea
Stomach cramps
Occasionally fever
About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea.
People usually notice symptoms three to four days after they' ve been infected.
But symptoms can start any time between one and 14 days afterwards.
These symptoms can last up to two weeks.
A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).
Symptoms of HUS include: Peeing less
Tiredness
Swelling
Bruising
This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare.
The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under five years.
Some people become infected but don't develop symptoms.
Speak to your GP if you or your child has diarrhoea and: It's particularly frequent or severe
It lasts for more than seven days
A severe or continuous stomach ache
Weight loss
Have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea
Have signs of dehydration – including drowsiness, peeing less than usual, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy
If you or your child has bloody diarrhoea contact your GP practice and ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111.
"Studies undertaken by the World Health Organisation has concluded that boiling the water is sufficient to inactivate pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa," it said.
"Tap water should be boiled for a few seconds and stored in clean, covered containers in a cool place for a maximum of 24 hours."
This applies to water for drinking, cleaning teeth or preparing foods people intend to eat raw, like salads or fruit.
"Water for babies' feeds should be boiled - and allowed to cool - immediately before use," Yorkshire Water added.
It noted that water filters won't help get rid of bacteria - instead they "may trap contamination".
It urged customers not to use water filters in place of boiling.
Yorkshire Water noted that it's still safe to use tap water for washing and showering, as well as washing clothes and dishes.
The company said it given some customers with medical needs or who may find boiling water difficult with bottled water.
For customers that may find it difficult to boil their water, we have delivered bottled water to three nearby locations. These are available while stocks last.