Rural Herefordshire Residents Advised Against Consuming Tap Water

Residents in a rural area of Herefordshire have received guidance to avoid consuming tap water from a borehole, following tests that indicated the presence of potentially harmful bacteria. Eight residences situated near Whitwick Manor, close to Ledbury, are dependent on a privately-owned borehole that draws water from an underground source. Analyses conducted by Herefordshire Council earlier this month identified coliform bacteria. Furthermore, a 2023 examination also found E.coli bacteria in the water supply. According to the local council, those utilizing the supply had been informed. Nicholas Layton, the landowner, informed the BBC that the properties would shortly be linked to the public water network. An unnamed resident informed the BBC that the discovery of bacteria occurred following their request for Herefordshire Council to test their drinking water. “They told me that the water, the bore water, needs to be tested every five years, and it was overdue,” she stated. “A council officer tested the water, it came back that it had E.coli.” She added, “When we first moved here, we were drinking it out the tap!” E. coli bacteria typically reside within human and animal intestines and are capable of causing severe health issues. It is estimated that between five and 10 percent of Herefordshire’s population relies on a private water supply. Herefordshire Council’s environmental health department is mandated to conduct a risk assessment of all private water supplies every five years. Subsequent to the tests in November 2023, the resident stated they received counsel from an environmental health officer to refrain from consuming unpurified tap water, and to opt for bottled or boiled alternatives. “We’ve literally just been drinking bottled water, but we still have been using it for toilets and showering and so forth,” the resident commented, and mentioned the officer had informed them the landowner would be notified. Additional analyses of the water supply conducted earlier this month indicated that coliform bacteria persisted in the water, alongside elevated levels of nitrates and uranium. Coliform bacteria frequently arise from human or animal activity. Although their existence does not invariably pose a risk, it is considered a sign that water has not undergone complete disinfection. A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council stated: “The test in November 2023 showed failure for E.coli (1cfu/100ml) and it was the first failure for E.coli that we’d ever had for the supply. There was no E.coli in the latest sample dated November 2024.” The council verified that eight properties reliant on the private water supply at Whitwick Manor were informed that it did not meet required standards. The local council indicated it was communicating with the landowner, Nicholas Layton, regarding enhancements to the water provision. Although Mr Layton stated he was unavailable for an interview, he informed the BBC that the properties would be connected to the public water network, at his personal expense. Mr Layton has submitted an application for planning permission to construct an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility at Whitwick Manor. Should it receive approval, it would process 116,000 tonnes of poultry manure and apple pulp annually from agricultural sites within the county, converting it into natural gas, sufficient to power approximately 6000 residences. However, local inhabitants and environmental organizations are concerned it could negatively impact an already vulnerable ecosystem. “At the moment he’s done nothing in a whole year to satisfy the council that he’s putting things in place to make sure the bore water is safe,” the resident commented. “I think a lot of people do worry if anything were to go wrong with that… is this going to be managed properly?” Herefordshire Council is scheduled to make a decision on the planning application in December. Mr Layton’s agent, Bourne Valley Associates, has asserted that the AD unit would not impact groundwater. They stated that only purified, uncontaminated water would flow into a system of reed beds and buffer lagoons, following its treatment. Updates from BBC Hereford & Worcester are available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights are reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material on external websites. Details regarding its policy on external linking are available.