WALTHAM FOREST: Water contamination prompts illness reports (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Water contamination prompts illness reports

8:53pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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ALMOST 100 people have reported feeling ill after drinking water contaminated with chemicals.

Minute traces of 2-EDD and 2-EMD were found in samples taken from Thames Water’s Walthamstow works, but the company insist it did not pose any risk to health.

About 1,000 people complained of foul smelling and tasting tap water, with some complaining of sickness after drinking it.

The contamination has been traced to Thames Water’s sewage treatment plant in Rye Meads, Hertfordshire, the BBC has reported, and is being investigated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Approximately two million people were affected by the contamination.

A spokesman for Thames Water would not confirm the source of the contamination while the investigation is on-going.

He said: "The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that the minute traces of these substances found in water from our Walthamstow works during February did not present any significant threat to the health of our customers.

"Any resulting odour issue was resolved at the end of February and a full investigation into the incident is now taking place."

Sue Pennison, principle inspector for the Drinking Water Inspectorate said once the investigations by the water companies are complete, the inspectorate will look at whether there is evidence of an offence having been committed by a water company or person.

It will also examine whether or not “due diligence” was taken by Thames Water and Essex and Suffolk Water, which supply to north east London, in preventing the contamination.

If prosecuted, companies or individuals could be fined up to £20,000 for pollution of watercourses and/or three months imprisonment on conviction at a Magistrates Court, or an unlimited fine and/or two years imprisonment on conviction at a Crown Court under the Water Resources Act 1991.