The company has tracked the problem to two connected water storage tanks, which supply the Seahouses and North Sunderland areas today (24 July).

More than 1000 households and businesses have been told about a possible bacterial contamination, but the company expects people to be able to drink the water again soon.

In the meantime one of the tanks has been emptied and investigations are being carried out and the other tank is currently being taken out of supply, while clean water has been moved around the network to maintain customers’ supply.

A spokesman said: “Further samples are being taken and customers will be notified to stop boiling water for consumption as soon as the water company is satisfied with the sample results.”

Luke Walsh

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