PEOPLE living in parts of Darlington are still being told to boil their water after a fault reported yesterday.

The issue affects thousands of homes in the town.

People living in Darlington were told via social media yesterday afternoon about the problem, sparking concern from people who had been using water in the morning. 

What caused the problem?

There was a technical fault at Broken Scar Treatment Works, which was reported in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Northumbrian Water says the fault was quickly fixed. However, some water left the site without the correct level of disinfection.

Which areas are affected?

Homes in the DL1, DL2 and DL3 postcodes are affected, mostly in the central part of the borough.

The specific postcodes affected are:

DL1 1**, DL1 2**, DL1 3**, DL1 4**, DL1 5**, DL2 1**, DL2 2**, DL3 0**, DL3 6**, DL3 7**, DL3 8**, DL3 9**.

What do people need to do?

Customers in these areas are being asked, as a precaution, to boil their water before using it for drinking, cooking, and food preparation, for pets and cleaning teeth.

Water should be boiled then allowed to cool and should be kept covered in the fridge and used within 24 hours.

Northumbrian Water says it is safe to use central heating, or tap water for washing and bathing, and to flush the toilet as normal.

What is the risk?

Northumbrian Water says the risk to people is low based on tests results so far and the boil notice remains in place as a “precaution”.

It is carrying out further water quality results and says it will keep customers updated today.

A spokesperson said this morning it would provide further details on the time scale today. 

What is happening at schools?

Darlington Borough Council emailed headteachers last night about plans to provide water to schools.

Northumbrian Water says it is intending to provide  the equivalent of a 2ltr bottle of water per child to each of the day nurseries and schools in the affected area. They are being delivered by flat-bed lorries for nurseries and primary schools and grab- wagons for secondary schools.

Water is being sent to nurseries first, then primary schools and finally secondary schools.

Some schools have also asked parents to send their children to school with a bottle of water.

How can people keep up to date?

So far, information has been shared via Northumbrian Water's social media channels and website  - www.nwl.co.uk

Darlington Borough Council said warning/notice cards were dropping through letter boxes across Darlington last night with details.

In an emergency, call Northumbrian Water on 0345 717 1100.

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