A Devon local has hit out at South West Water after an outbreak of a diarrhoea-type illness in the area.

Public Health said 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis had been confirmed in Brixham and up to 100 people had reported symptoms in the past week.

People are being urged to boil their tap water and South West Water (SWW) has set up water stations for residents to collect free bottled water.

Tanya Matthews, who noticed a funny taste in her water before falling ill, told GB News that authorities could have done a better job at containing the outbreak.

Tanya Matthews raised concerns to South West Water

“I contacted South West Water and asked if there was a problem and they said there had been 15 confirmed cases, I wasn’t happy with that number”, she said.

“It seemed like there was a lot of sick people. I put a post on Facebook, it went viral overnight with people in our local area who had been poorly.

“Even people who had come down for holidays were going home ill as well.”

Matthews was incensed by SWW’s response, suggesting they lacked decisiveness in declaring to the public that there was a major issue with the water being poured into their homes.

“They were still denying the illnesses were anything to do with the water”, she said.

“Up until yesterday, they were still telling people it was safe to drink the water, it clearly wasn’t.

South West Water is under fire

Tanya Matthews joined Jeff Moody on GB News

“I’m wondering how many people are needlessly ill because of South West Water’s advice.”

Matthews spoke to GB News’s Jeff Moody about the symptoms she suffered as a result of her illness.

“It was really bad. As soon as you eat or drink anything, it was going straight through me”, she said.

“I noticed a bad taste in the water and others in the area getting ill.”

The head of water quality at South West, Chris Rocket, told the BBC that people should boil water to drink, cook and clean their teeth with in affected areas.

He added that the firm would continue to work with health professionals and monitor the water.

Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UK Health Security Agency South West, said: “We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow it to cool before use.

“Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery.”

GB News has contacted South West Water for comment.