Advice to boil drink water lifted

Cryptosporidium parasites were found in the water

Almost 5,000 people advised to boil their tap water after the quality was affected by heavy rainfall have been told it is now safe to drink.

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water had asked customers in Gwynedd to take the precaution of boiling their water for 48 to 72 hours.

It followed tests which showed some cryptosporidium parasites in the water.

Residents in Tywyn, Aberdyfi, Bryncrug, Rhyd-yr-Onen and Brynglas can now drink water without boiling it.

According to the Health Protection Agency, cryptosporidium is a tiny parasite "found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal faeces". It can cause temporary diarrhoea in humans.

Penybont water treatment works, which processes the local water, was shut down for around 24 hours on Saturday when the river water quality deteriorated.

But the water board said the risk to people drinking the water has now passed.

The National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHSW) will now be monitoring cases of gastro-intestinal illness in the area affected.

In a statement Dwr Cymru Welsh Water thanked customers for their co-operation and said: "The risk to health is low, but anyone who is ill with diarrhoea within the next two weeks and has drunk water from these areas should see their GP as a precaution."

If anyone has any concerns about their supply they can call the operational helpline on 0800 052 0130.