Global heating will increase risk of parasite outbreaks, say South West Water owners

Pennon Group annual report lists dangers to water quality posed by higher temperatures

The owner of South West Water has warned that global heating will increase the risk of outbreaks of the parasite that caused diarrhoea and vomiting in south Devon.

Pennon Group said that gradual and significant increasing average and high temperatures" could pose risks to water quality and water treatment" - including the cryptosporidium parasite - in its annual report, published this week.