WATER LATEST: Ultra-violet could be a ray of hope
Water bosses have turned to ultra-violet rays to help solve the drinking water crisis in Lancashire.
Three specialist UV rigs were being switched on at troublespots in the United Utilities’ network on Friday in an attempt to kill off the remaining cryptosporidium parasites in the system.
Five more will go online early next week as the company battles to restore a drinkable supply to around 300,000 households and businesses in Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and the Fylde Coast with the scare now in its third week.
But, while United Utilities’ chiefs admit they cannot yet put a time limit on the clean up work, it was beginning to look like well into next week at the earliest before the boil water alert is lifted.
Gary Dixon, the company’s customer services director, explained: “The use of these UV rigs will help us speed up the process of destroying the last traces of cryptosporidium in the water.
“We continue to work around the clock to restore normal service as quickly as possible.”
The UV rigs are being installed at Warbreck, Weeton, Westby, White Bull, Haighton and Hoghton service reservoirs.