Households urged to keep boiling water to keep cryptosporidium bug at bay

The company, which made an operating profit of £653m in the 12 months to the end of March 2015, has also said it will investigate compensating affected customers as soon as their water supply has been returned to normal.

Panic buying of bottled water has been reported at many supermarkets in Lancashire, with some stores placing a restriction on the quantities their customers can buy.

A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said: “We have sourced more than 50,000 litres of bottled water which we are providing to patients and staff”.

Affected areas in the country include Blackpool, Chorley, Fylde, Preston, South Ribble and Wyre.

They warned the bug is a microscopic parasite which can cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

Bottled water is being delivered to people identified as vulnerable, such as those with medical conditions.

Julie Booker from Lytham Brewery, in Cambells Court, Lord Street, St Annes, said: “Thankfully it makes no difference to us at all as we boil our water at such a high temperature and for a long time”.

United Utilities yesterday urged residents in Lancashire not to drink tap water, or even brush teeth with it, unless it has been boiled.

“We are awaiting further advice from United Utilities before reinstating the use of the mains water supply”.

A spokesman said: “There isn’t any need for people to panic buy bottled water, though we understand why people might want to do that”. Best for us would be a promise from United Utilities not to increase rates for at least two years if this lasts for one week, then another year for every week this continues.

Martin Padley, Chief Scientific Officer at United Utilities, said: “The advice is being given purely as a precautionary measure as we carry out additional tests today”.

Boiled water is not required for general domestic purposes, such as bathing, flushing toilets and washing clothes.

Craig Miller added: “How is it that I only found out about this bug on social media around 5pm on Thursday, when United Utilities knew about this bug on Wednesday?”

United Utilities said samples taken from the site were “continuing to reduce”, and cards were being put through the letterboxes of affected homes.

Water firm United Utilities first issued the warning on Thursday but said customers must continue boiling their drinking water to remain safe for at least a few more days.

“That was the earliest opportunity we could have done that”.