Govind Tekale
Karmactive Staff
A boil water alert affecting nearly 200 postcodes in North Yorkshire has been lifted after Yorkshire Water confirmed the water supply is back to safe standards.
The water company had discovered higher-than-normal levels of coliform bacteria, including E. coli, during routine testing in High Bentham, Low Bentham, and Burton-in-Lonsdale. Nearly 200 postcodes were affected by the precautionary measure.
“We can confirm that we are now able to lift the boil water instruction at all affected properties in the local area as the water is now back to our usual high standards,” Yorkshire Water stated on Wednesday evening.
The presence of these bacteria often signals contamination from human or animal waste in the water supply. While many strains are harmless, some can cause serious illness, particularly in young children and elderly residents.
Similar Posts
Local businesses felt the immediate impact. “We sold out of bottled water yesterday. We sold about 88 individual bottles and 19 six-packs,” reported a Bentham shop manager. Another local business owner, Mohamed Ezzat of G & Mo’s Cafe, shared how they adapted: “To serve customers who want drinking water, we are having to boil water then keep it cool in the fridge.”
During the alert, residents were instructed to boil tap water for drinking, tooth brushing, and preparing uncooked foods. The water remained safe for washing, bathing, and toilet flushing without boiling.
Yorkshire Water took several steps to support affected residents:
- Hand-delivered notices to impacted households
- Provided bottled water to vulnerable customers on their priority services register
- Set up water collection points at Lair Gill Car Park, Wenning Ave playing field, and Burton In Lonsdale Recreation Ground
This incident comes at a challenging time for Yorkshire Water. The Environment Agency has downgraded the company’s environmental performance rating, citing an “unacceptable” number of serious pollution incidents.
The latest boil water alert, while resolved, highlights ongoing concerns about water infrastructure maintenance and the need for robust monitoring systems to protect public health.
For residents seeking more information about their water supply, Yorkshire Water maintains updates on their website about affected areas and safety measures.
