RESIDENTS are angry following a delay in letting them know about an “urgent” alert asking people to boil their tap water before use.

Northumbrian Water issued the warning to some Darlington residents on Tuesday afternoon – hours after a fault was discovered at Broken Scar Treatment Works.

The faulty valve was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday and affects about 31,000 people in the town.

Today, Northumbrian Water moved to reassure residents, saying the notice was issued as a precaution.

Read more: Northumbrian Water response to Darlington fault 'shambolic'

The company says its test show the risk to people is low and the samples which have come back so far have been clear.

Further tests will be carried out tomorrow, when the company should have a better idea of when restrictions can be lifted.

Thousands of people are having to boil their water before using it, with many resorting to buying bottles instead.

Some customers have been angry about the delay in letting people know.

John Watson, of Teesdale Avenue, said: “We’re very annoyed about it, particularly the delay in informing us.

“We didn’t find out until last night when my wife saw it on social media

“They could have had it on the morning news if they tried hard enough bit as it was we were drinking potentially harmful water all day.

“I can imagine for someone who is a bit more vulnerable it could have been a problem. We’re in our late 70s but we’re in quite good health.”

Read more: Northumbrian Water provide update Darlington water issue

Reader Ruth Brady said: “Accidents happen but it's how they are handled which is the important thing, and the water company has dropped the ball on this one.”

Chris Kernaghan added the response had not be good enough. He said: “The most egregious thing has been warned too late.

“According to the message which I only saw from the local MP this fault occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning yet communication was sent out over 12 hours later when the possibly infected water could of been consumed

“That is simply not good enough.”

In response to concerns, Northumbrian Water released a statement on its website.

The company said: "It’s important to note that the warning is currently only a precaution and that we believe the risk to customer to be low based on our test results so far. We will update customers and confirm this as soon as we can.

"To also help reassure you, as soon as we found out about this fault in the early hours of the morning we immediately fixed it.

"We then needed time to fully understand what had happened, where had been impacted and if there was a risk to customers. This involves testing and sampling on our treatment works and networks, and this is still ongoing even now.

"We’ve been working with the UK Health Security Agency since this happened and as soon as we were able to make customers aware of all of the key information and precautionary advice, then we did.

"We are extremely sorry this has happened, we’re working hard to rectify the situation as soon as possible and thank our customers in Darlington for their support."

Readers have been getting in touch today about their experiences.

Many people are unhappy about only finding out about the issue last night

What people have been saying 

Rebecca Wigham

Can’t be helped. Not ideal that we are all at home with COVID and needing to drink loads. Can’t get the water boiled and cooled quick enough. Family have managed to get us some bottled water but most shelves are empty.

Hope it’s back on soon.

Amanda Hemblade

Already drank loads yesterday before we were told, tried buying bottled water but the shelves are bare. Hope it's sorted soon. 

Ruth Brady

Yet to receive any notification from Northumbria Water, same for my mother on the opposite side of town. Accidents happen but it's how they are handled which is the important thing, and the water company has dropped the ball on this one.

Beryl Mary Owens 

We should have been informed earlier. I am immune suppressed and it could have been serious.

Janet Langan

The information should have been released earlier I only found out via Facebook at 4pm !!!!!No notification at all from Northumbria water People without Facebook might still not know

Chris Kernaghan

As has been stated by others the most egregious thing has been warned too late.

According to the message which I only saw from the local mp this fault occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning yet communication was sent out over 12 hours later when the possibly infected water could of been consumed

That is simply not good enough

Rebecca Parkinson

I wish we had all been informed earlier - i only received a postcard today so had I not had Facebook, like many older and vulnerable people, i wouldn't have been aware of it.

Veronica McKenna 

I was concerned that, whilst the leak happened in the early hours of yesterday, there was no warning about it until I saw it on Facebook late yesterday afternoon. By that time, I had been using the water for drinking and for my dog.

Steve Reel

Having massive problems my fish tank needs cleaning but can’t at this minute without risking killing them all

Pam Frazer

Water still doesn't taste rite after boiling, bought some bottled water

Martin Rutter

No point in making mountains out of mole hills it is slight inconvenience for a short period of time. I got a text off Northumbrian Water it was quickly all over social media and when I got in from work today there was a leaflet through the door so they did all they could to let people know. Yes it came to late for me I drank a couple of pints with and after my tea but I'm fine. Some people have to drink untreated water all of the time and certainly don't have the option of buying bottled water.

 

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