More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
by Danny Boyle
Scores of families have been hit with a water safety alert after a contamination in their supply.
About 80 households served by Lullingstone Water Supply have been forced to boil their water for more than two weeks.
Urgent letters were sent out by environmental health officers on November 2 after samples found microbiological contamination in the water.
Sevenoaks District Council, which says the bacteria was 'naturally-occurring, insists the levels are too small to cause illness, but is “strongly advising” people to boil water for drinking, cleaning teeth and preparing food.
It urges residents not to drink tap water until further notice and has launched an investigation with the Health Protection Agency.
One of those affected is Paul Levine, who lives in Wested Farm, Eynsford Road, Crockenhill, with wife Jo.
Together they have nine children, including three-year-old twin girls, and are stockpiling bottled water for drinking and washing.
Mr Levine, 53, said: “When you’ve got children it’s pretty concerning to be told your water has been contaminated.
“We haven’t been told how long it’s going to last so we’re absolutely at our wit’s end. I believe it’s our moral right to have clean water. This is rural Kent, not the third world.”
Lullingstone Water is a private company which serves 79 residential and business properties in the Swanley area.
A Sevenoaks District Council spokesman said: “Some naturally-occurring bacteria was found to have contaminated a private water supply.
“The council is working with the Health Protection Agency to establish the source of the problem. Both organisations have met with the water supply owner and a number of measures are being put in place by the supplier to deal with the problem.
“The council and the Health Protection Agency will inform affected residents and businesses as soon as the matter has been resolved.”
Lullingstone Water Supply could not be contacted as the Messenger went to press.
