High Bentham, Low Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale

Any customers affected will have received a hand delivered notice of the boil order. If your postcode is listed, but you haven't received a letter from us, please get in touch for clarification on 0345 124 2424. 

Some routine tests have shown that the water quality in High Bentham, Low Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale doesn't meet our usual high standards, which is why we’re asking customers in the above postcodes to boil their water until further notice.  

We appreciate everyone's patience whilst our teams investigate the issue and get everything back to normal. 

Our advice  

If you have received a boil order notice, please follow this advice until further notice:  

Boil all tap water for: 

• Drinking 
• Cleaning teeth 
• Preparing foods which will be eaten uncooked (such as salads) 

  
Tap water should be boiled for a few seconds and stored in clean, covered containers in a cool place for a maximum of 24 hours.  

Water for babies’ feeds should be boiled (and allowed to cool) immediately before use.  

Boiling is sufficient protection, there is no need to use bottled water. 

Tap water can be used for: 

• Washing  
• Bathing 
• Toilet flushing  
• Washing dishes 
• Washing clothes 

FAQs:  

Why are we asking customers in these postcodes to boil their water? 

We regularly check our drinking water to make sure it meets our high standards and during routine tests we’ve found the water supply in High Bentham, Low Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale didn’t meet our usual standards. While we investigate this, we’re asking all customers to boil their water as a precautionary measure to keep everyone safe.  

When can I start using tap water again without the need to boil it?   

We are working hard to resolve this issue but we need to take necessary precautions to keep people safe. When we are satisfied that your water supply has been restored to its usual high standards we will be in touch to confirm water can be used as normal.  

Does boiling the water kill the bacteria?

Yes, studies undertaken by the World Health Organisation has concluded that boiling the water is sufficient to inactivate pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

Can this affect pets? 

This is unlikely but if in doubt, we would advise you to use water that has been boiled and then cooled. If you use water for topping up household aquariums or fish tanks please treat it in the usual way to remove chlorine.  

Do water filters help?  

No. Domestic filters and cartridges may trap contamination. Do not use water filters instead of boiling.  

I am unwell and live in the area affected, what should I do? 

If you choose to seek medical attention, please tell your doctor about this instruction given to boil water.  

What bacteria has been found?  

We regularly check our drinking water to make sure it meets our high standards and during our routine tests we have found bacteria in our samples.   

Whilst our treatment processes take out any impurities in the water to make sure it’s of the highest quality, the coliform bacteria we have found in these samples is higher than we would normally see so as a precaution we are asking that customers boil their water before use until further notice.  

Our water quality team will continue to take samples to monitor the quality of the water in the area whilst we work hard to resolve the issues.  

We are working closely with the relevant health authorities (UKHSA – UK Health security agency) and taking the necessary precautions which in this case is to boil water before use. Boiling water will provide sufficient protection from any bacteria we have found.  

Will you be providing customers with bottled water? 

Boiling is sufficient protection, there is no need to use bottled water.

Whilst boiling water is sufficient, we know it can be inconvenient. We have delivered bottled water to anyone on our priority services register and we have provided some pallets of water at the following locations: 

• Lair Gill Car Park, Butts Lane, High Bentham, LA2 7JZ 
• Playing fields, Wenning Ave, High Bentham, LA2 7L 
• Opp Rec Ground, Bentham Moor Rd, Burton In Lonsdale, LA6 3FT 

When collecting bottled water please be mindful of how much you need to take, to make sure there's enough for everyone that needs it. 

Will people be reimbursed if they buy bottled water?  
As customers are able to consume water after boiling, we will not be providing reimbursements for bottled water at this time.  

What about businesses?  Will they be compensated if they have to close?  

Compensation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

Will I be compensated?  
We’re really sorry and we understand how inconvenient and frustrating this is for our customers who are affected. We’re hand delivering information to customers that are affected by the boil order and we will keep in touch with those customers for any next steps.  

If you have any other questions, you can contact us on 0345 124 2424.