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

South West Water workers handing out emergency rations of bottled water to residents affected by the cryptosporidium outbreak in south Devon last month. Photograph: nidpor/Alamy

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.