health
Faecal contamination leaves 164 households without drinkable tap water
‘It was brown and smelled of faeces’
Published
Residents in a commune in south-west France have been unable to use their tap water for drinking or cooking after tests confirmed faecal contamination.
A total of 164 households in Ledeuix, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, are affected, with restrictions in place since October 16.
The contamination was confirmed by the regional health agency (Agence régionale de santé, ARS) following reports from residents about the colour and smell of their water.
"It's clearer now and smells like bleach, but before it was brown and smelled of faeces," Sylvie, a resident of the commune, told ICI Béarn Bigorre.
Despite the smell, Sylvie and her partner had continued to use the water for cooking, after which they experienced vomiting and diarrhoea. They later had to go to the emergency department.
"We weren't told that we had to boil it, so we got food poisoning like that," she said.
They have now also stopped showering, while the mairie is distributing bottled water to residents for drinking and cooking.
However, the ARS has not confirmed a link between the couple's symptoms and the contaminated water.
Investigation into the source continues
The prefecture said investigations had identified and isolated the contaminated water tank and section of pipeline.
A specialist company has been brought in to look for a possible leak, while the affected tank has been completely emptied, cleaned and disinfected. It will not be put back into service until further health checks have been carried out.
It is estimated that it will take another week before drinking water supplies are restored, subject to satisfactory test results.
In the meantime, free bottled water is being distributed to all 164 affected households at three collection points in the village while home deliveries are carried out for residents who cannot collect the water themselves.
For now, the prefecture has prohibited residents from using tap water for drinking, preparing hot or cold drinks, cooking, making ice, preparing baby formula or washing fruit and vegetables eaten raw.
However, tap water can still be used for showering, washing hands, doing the dishes and laundry, cleaning and flushing toilets.
Alternatively, tap water can be boiled for at least one minute and allowed to cool before being used for food-related purposes.
