Most tourists flocking to the bustling fishing port or exploring Agatha Christie's riverside retreat have likely moved on from what South West Water euphemistically labels the 'Brixham incident.' Yet for residents at the epicenter of this parasite outbreak, which sickened potentially hundreds in south Devon after they ingested contaminated water, the physical and psychological scars remain raw.
Individuals living within the outbreak zone assert they continue to endure illnesses stemming from the contamination, while many have sworn off tap water for good.
'So many of us are still suffering,' said Lisa Horswill, 55, who suspects her autoimmune issues may be linked to the outbreak. 'I had an existing health condition before it happened, but I have been much worse since.' Her husband, Kris Horswill, 44, had pre-existing kidney problems before the spring and summer 2024 outbreak, but his condition has deteriorated, and he is about to start dialysis. While they cannot definitively prove the outbreak caused their decline, Lisa remarked, 'But we don't think it is a coincidence.'
Residents' Ongoing Struggles
The Horswills, residing in Higher Brixham—one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods—say they will never drink straight tap water again and have invested in a filtration system. 'That costs us £450 a year, which stings a bit, especially when our water bills are going up all the time,' Lisa added.
The outbreak occurred when the parasite cryptosporidium infiltrated the water supply for homes and businesses. A judge recently fined SWW £1.853 million for supplying water unfit for human consumption after the parasite outbreak caused hundreds to fall ill. Many who drank the contaminated water suffered cryptosporidiosis (crypto), with symptoms including profuse watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever, and appetite loss.
Personal Accounts of Suffering
Another Higher Brixham resident, Michelle, recounted that the four-year-old foster child in her care became ill with cryptosporidiosis on May 6, 2024. He experienced severe diarrhea, and following NHS website advice, Michelle ensured he consumed plenty of fluids. 'I was giving him pints and pints and pints of water to try to make him better, but he was getting sicker and sicker.' Michelle first learned of the broader issue not through official channels but during a playground conversation. When she contacted South West Water, she spoke to 'the most horrible man. He said: 'No, our drinking water is the highest possible quality.''
Many feel SWW did not act swiftly enough. The company stated it received the initial illness report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the afternoon of May 13, 2024. It identified cryptosporidium in the early hours of May 15 and began advising potentially affected residents to boil their water. Michelle had to break the news to the child's birth family. 'I had to tell them I had been giving him contaminated water and he had got crypto,' she said. 'I still feel guilty and emotional.'
Jen Watts, also from Higher Brixham, said her 10-year-old son developed avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder after falling ill during the outbreak. He spent four days in hospital, and Watts noted he continues to struggle with his health. 'It's impacting us in a very devastating way and will be for the ongoing future. It's very raw,' she said.
Legal and Community Response
In March, SWW admitted to supplying water unfit for human consumption and was fined on Tuesday. In court, SWW argued that a damaged air valve and illegal water pipes on a farm likely caused the outbreak. It insisted it had thoroughly contained the contamination and implemented extra measures to prevent recurrence. Watts welcomed the fine but deemed it insufficient. 'It is a moral victory, but it doesn't directly help those living with ongoing severe and life-changing problems as a result,' she said. 'I believe custodial sentences should have been given as part of the punishment, given the severity and devastating impact. My son is still suffering. Life is incredibly difficult.'
A second severely affected community was Kingswear, a picturesque village on the River Dart with a steam railway station. Jo Byrne, 54, manager of its post office, recalled being very ill at the time. 'I thought I had food poisoning,' she said. 'I lost 13lb in three days.' She attempted to return to work quickly but remembers one day when she had to sleep in the shop because she lacked the strength to get home. 'I have IBS [irritable bowel syndrome] now,' she said. 'I'm mad at South West Water and I'd never drink their water again.'
Christopher Dawes, a leading member of Kingswear parish council, was ill for about four days. 'It was coming out both ends, I'm afraid to say. It was pretty unpleasant and painful.' He believes most people have resumed drinking tap water, but 'lots of people still won't and there's still a lot of anger.'
According to UKHSA, 143 people fell ill, but most residents spoken to by the Guardian believe the actual number was much higher. 'I don't believe it only affected 143,' said Zanne Henderson, who runs a seafood shack in Kingswear. 'No way. There were thousands of us.' Henderson said the outbreak severely damaged morale in the tourism-dependent area. 'We had only just got through Covid, and then this whacked us.' She became very ill on May 10, 2024. 'What do you do when you feel a little ill? Drink more water. It was absolutely horrendous.' Henderson feels her immune system is compromised. 'I feel like I have long crypto. That's what it feels like to me.'
The Guardian asked SWW to comment on ongoing health problems and doubts about the outbreak's scale. The company said it would issue a statement after the sentencing.
