Health fears as polluted waters leave thousands vulnerable

Authorities in flood-stricken areas are struggling to cope with the biggest public health crisis for decades. Thousands of people have been made effectively homeless by the flooding, and more than 350,000 will have to rely on bottled water for everything from cooking to washing for up to two weeks.

An urgent appeal has been made for portable lavatories as fears about sewage treatment and contamination grow. Engineers gained full access to the Mythe water treatment plants near Tewkesbury yesterday but have yet to assess the full extent of the damage.

The western side of Oxford was engulfed in water yesterday after tributaries to the Thames burst their banks. At least 150 people have been moved from their homes to an emergency shelter at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium.

Three severe flood warnings, two in Oxford and one in nearby Abingdon, remained in place last night. The Environment Agency said that flooding was also expected in the Thameside towns of Wallingford and Henley.
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