Drinking water warning for parts of county

United Utilities is advising customers in Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre, Chorley, Preston and South Ribble to boil their water for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth as a precaution until further notice.

It comes after routine tests at Franklaw Water Treatment works in Preston detected traces of cryptosporidium – a microscopic parasite which can cause sickness and diarrhoea.

Martin Padley, chief scientific officer at United Utilities, said: “The advice is being given purely as a precautionary measure as we carry out additional tests today.

“We apologise for the inconvenience but the health of our customers is absolutely paramount.”

Customers are asked to take extreme care when boiling water because of the danger of scalding. Simply bring water to the boil and let it cool.

United Utilities is monitoring water supplies and is hoping to be able to lift the boil water advice as soon as possible.

People can continue to use tap water without boiling for general domestic purposes such as bathing, flushing toilets or washing clothes.

For more on the water contamination in Lancashire visit the links below:

Parasite found in water supply

WATER SCARE: What is Cryptosporidium?

Shelves cleared amid water scare

Map issued showing affected areas

Health warning continues after bug is found in water supply

BREAKING: Water warning to last into next week