Toxins on tap

In 1988, a dangerous chemical cocktail entered Cornwall's water supply, harming thousands of lives...

- HANNAH DAVIES, SEAN MARLAND

On 7 July 1988, Doug Cross boiled the kettle at his home in Camelford, Cornwall, only for the water to curdle. Later, when his wife Carole ran a bath, the water turned blue.

Despite being inundated with complaints, including vomiting, diarrhoea, blistered skin and mouth ulcers, the then South West Water Authority insisted that the water was safe to drink.