Inspections of wells urged amid E.coli fears

Homeowners with private wells are being urged to monitor them amid fears they could be a source of a dangerous E.coli infection.

According to the HSE, instances of VTEC — a harmful strain of E.coli which may cause severe illness — have doubled in the last year. Contaminated well water can be a source.

Now the Environmental Protection Agency is asking all owners of wells, and those not on public supplies, to examine their water sources.