To think this isn't panic buying?

[AtomicBlondeRose]

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/devon-cryptosporidium-outbreak-school-closed-hundreds-ill-latest-updates/

This is an awful situation in Devon, but why on earth is people buying bottled water in a situation where the water is undrinkable "panic buying" - it seems like perfectly sensible buying to me? Every single person needs the equivalent of multiple bottles of water every day, and I would say those who have the ability to buy it are actually being fairly considerate in leaving stocks of the bottled water being provided by the water companies for those who need it.

Not all stocking up is panic buying! It is sometimes a very rational response to the situation you're in.

Well it is if some people are literally filling up their entire garages/sheds/every spare room or corner of their homes with cases upon cases upon cases of water, leaving bugger all for other people.

During WW2 they also rationed the food that was readily available as well as those in short supply. This ensured people didn't panic buy what was readily available and cause even more shortages. It also reduced the risk of basic essentials going on the black market (like sugar & meat did) and people profiteering from others' hunger.

If this water issue goes on a while, I guarantee there'll be people selling cases of bottled water at an inflated price! Likely on Facebook etc

why on earth is people buying bottled water in a situation where the water is undrinkable "panic buying"

Because the water is potable once it's boiled.

They could just boil water and then drink it when it's cooled.

But no, people are swarming supermarkets and clearing them out because they're panicking.

It depends how much they are buying tbh.

Water companies will provide bottled water when tap water isn’t suitable. However they seem to have moved too slowly here so I don’t blame anyone for buying bottled water.

And people moan about Chlorine in the water…

Its disgusting water companies are privatised and allowed to get away woth unethical practices with barely a wrist slap.

They should be renationalised

People don’t trust the water board now though, so they don’t trust that just boiling will get rid of it.

And yes I understand the science, better than most, but I also understand the psychology of people.

I’d be more concerned that the tap water is contaminated - this country is a disgrace

You may be right. Some people will always go overboard though.

And yes the problem is the privatised water companies! It’s disgraceful!

We were recently without water for five days in our area, as in nothing coming out of the taps whatsoever.
It was miserable. People were panic buying, despite being given a reasonable amount of bottled water from collection points. Volunteers at collection points were getting shouted at and at least one was injured.
It was all manageable if you were fit and mobile and had access to social media for updates. Without that you were stuffed. Consequently we ended up looking after three other households during this time period.
I would highly recommend that anyone with vulnerabilities signs up to the Priority Services Register. In theory this should allow them support, but we were aware of gaps.
https://www.thepsr.co.uk/

If I had small children, babies or anyone with poor health at home, I don't think I'd feel very secure just boiling tap water when it is clearly causing a large amount of illness.

I'm not very clear how much they're buying @AtomicBlondeRose

If it's that's one bloke there on those pics, with the multiple dozens of multi-packs of 4 two litre bottles, (on a wagon,) then yeah, it's panic buying! But if it's like 10 two litre bottles, then no.

So how many are we talking about?

Well yeah. And if it was as simple as 'just boil the water' then why are the water companies dishing out all the bottled water?! They would just make people run the skanky water, and boil it!

There was an awful water poisoning case in Cornwall in the 80s. Maybe it's scared those who remember it
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-17246490.amp

If no one needs bottled water anyway, why does it matter if there's none in the shops?

Agree. It's typical of the media.

It also detracts from the real issue, wtf is the tap water contaminated.

Boiling the water or not, I would not trust it to give it to my children (or anyone else)

I can't see how people can shower in it? Surely a tiny drop is all it takes. What a terrible situation. People can be violently ill for a month! That's a long time and some people will need hospitalisation. That's another point, is the water supply to hospitals affected!?
I'd say I'd definitely be in a panic!
The supply chain should send more bottled water from different areas of the country if the shops are emptying.

Not trusting boiled water is ridiculous, it will be more "sterile" than anything you buy in a bottle.

It does taste horrible if you're just drinking it cold and plain though.

Trust.

A few days ago the water company assured them there was nothing wrong...

I mean, maybe people can't afford to boil lots of water first - the gas/electric costs many are struggling with as it is?

Because the water is potable once it's boiled.

They could just boil water and then drink it when it's cooled.

But no, people are swarming supermarkets and clearing them out because they're panicking.
We lived in a horrific water area before, the guy who tested actually apologised and said it was a crime it was considered safe as it was just at the very edge of usable. Boiling shit water, filtering it, then putting it to your lips just feels like you’re asking for trouble!! (Our 94 yo neighbour used to glug it down, brown or cloudy, whichever it was that day, and say it didn’t do him any harm but look I’m not that strong😅😅😅)

More than buying it in bottles? 🤣

I live in the area. It's panic buying due to the sheer quantities that people are buying. People from unaffected areas, though understandable nervous are, are also buying huge quantities.

You need four litres per person per day just for drinking, cooking, very basic hygiene. So a family of four for three days would be 48 litres. Easy for it to look like panic buying but that is just the essentials!

Oh and further to my previous post, it's seven months later and we're still seeing FB posts from people giving away the bottled water that they got during that time.

Because some people don't have the facilities or ability to boil large amounts of water.

They are the ones who should be getting bottled water. Everyone else can boil as much as they like.