‘Second class citizens’ blast at SWW over water bug

South West Water is increasing the amount of money being paid in compensation to households worst hit by the Brixham water bug.

The company apologised for the continuing impact the ‘boil water’ notice is having on customers in the Hillhead, upper Brixham and Kingswear areas. Angry councillors say the people of Kingswear are being treated as ‘second class citizens’.
The water company is also increasing the standard compensation for customers still having to boil water to £265 from an earlier figure of £115. “It’s the right thing to do,” said a company spokesman.
Businesses hit by the cryptosporidium outbreak are being asked to contact SWW to discuss their compensation.
The incident, in which thousands of people across Brixham, Kingswear and parts of Paignton were originally advised to boil their water, began when people started falling ill with sickness and diarrhoea. The cryptosporidium parasite was discovered in the water supply at Alston and Hillhead.
SWW isolated the supply and cleaned tanks and pipes, supplying bottled water to the homes affected.
But hundreds of households are still being advised to take precautions, and the privatised utility came under fire for announcing increased dividends for shareholders in the midst of the crisis.
When members of South Hams Council discussed the incident, Cllr Jonathan Hawkins (Con, Dartmouth and East Dart) said the outbreak had not just affected Brixham, where most of the focus has been.
And he added: “South West Water has treated the residents of Kingswear and Hillhead as second class citizens. They have treated us very poorly.
“We are still under the restriction of having to boil our water.”
Cllr Denis O’Callaghan (Lib Dem, Kingsbridge) said the reported 57 cases of people being taken ill would increase as the illness spread.
She added: “It is shocking that this can happen to our drinking water. It should be clean.
“It is widely considered that South West Water didn’t respond adequately to this. It seemed an insult when the company might pay out large dividends with the residents so ill in so many cases, and worried about what is happening with their drinking water.
“I believe they should have had their bills cancelled for this year, plus compensation.”
SWW says its £265 compensation handouts will be processed automatically today, and will be received by direct debit customers early next week.
Businesses can call 03332 343 293 to discuss their compensation.