Cryptosporidium confusion at Y Felinheli

Sep 4 2008 By Daniel Bissett

CONFUSION has hit residents in Y Felinheli after some were given the wrong information following the increased levels of cryptosporidium in nearby waterworks.

Residents living at Y Wern in the village have received letters from Dr Cymru/Welsh Water telling them to boil their water when they don’t need to, while residents in Hen Gei Llechi have not been informed to boil water, although they live in one of the areas affected.

The warning is thought to affect the Bangor side of Felinheli, near to the marina, and other areas affected include Cwm y Glo and Llanddeiniolen.

The water supply has been affected by what the utilities company call increased levels of bacteria which is believed to originate at Mynydd Llandygai water treatment works.

A spokesman for Dr Cymru/Welsh Water said: "Our boil orders were issued on a postcode basis and we are aware that a small number of customers, who are outside the area supplied by Mynydd Llandegai Water Treatment Works, have incorrectly received boiling orders.

"We regret that some people received this information when they are not supplied from Mynydd Llandygai, but in a speedily arranged exercise we were anxious to ensure that we did not leave out customers who needed the information.

"We will be contacting these customers to advise them they are not affected and we regret any inconvenience caused, but our first priority is protecting public health.

"Customers living in Hen Gei Llechi were identified as being supplied by Mynydd Llandygai works and we can assure them that their boil notices are in the post.

"A full list of areas supplied by the works can be found on our website (www.dwrcymru.com) where there is also a facility for customers to enter their postcode to see if they are affected.

"Alternatively, they can call our helpline on 0800 052 0130.

"We are advising customers in these areas to boil any tap water for drinking or food preparation until further notice.

Cllr Sian Gwenllian said she was initially pleased with the water company’s response to any possible outbreak, but is now concerned about the situation because some residents affected hadn’t received letters.

"It is very unfortunate that Hen Gei Llechi residents who need to boil their water were not sent notices until Tuesday evening" she said.