SERIOUS health risks could emerge for the Bury population unless appropriate measures are in place to prevent contamination in the water supply.

The alarming claim is made in a new report from the director of public health to the Bury and Rochdale Health Authority.

However, it does also stress that work to improve the water supply is ongoing.

Human, animal and agricultural waste can infect the water supply - carrying among other things the life-threatening E-Coli bug - leading to a variety of health problems.

Lead poisoning from outdated pipes can have serious consequences ranging from restlessness and irritability to kidney damage, reduction in intelligence levels and muscle tremors.

Dr Kevin Snee, director of public health at Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, said: "A good clean water supply is an essential pre-requisite for remaining healthy.

"We are in close contact with the local authority, North West Water and the monitoring agencies in ensuring that the water supply in Bury is of as high a quality as possible. "Lead pipes can pose a threat especially for children up to the age of six and for unborn babies who are more susceptible.

"People with lead pipes should run water for a few minutes before drinking it and avoid drinking water from the hot tap. There are a variety of ways in which the agencies are already addressing the risks of contamination. These are through chlorination and the reduction in water acidity. In addition the process to rid the system of lead pipes is under way but there are still up to 50 per cent of houses with lead pipes locally."

The report also states that fluoridation of the water supply, which is not present in the majority of supplies in the North West, would show considerable benefits in terms of the dental health of Bury residents. By its own admission the health authority area is currently one of the worst in western Europe in this respect.

Dr Snee added: "All health authorities and many local authorities in the North West have long since recommended the introduction of fluoride into the water supply to improve teeth. We hope that forthcoming legislation will make provision for this and encourage water companies to take action."

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