A damning and disturbing tale of corporate greed and bureaucratic incompetence has been laid bare in 'Poison Water', a thought-provoking documentary about Britain's biggest mass poisoning. The programme sheds light on the shocking inaction of the water industry in 1988, when residents across north Cornwall were left reeling from exposure to toxic amounts of aluminium sulphate in their tap water.
The story begins with a series of bizarre incidents where tap water turned blue or black, and was sometimes gelatinous or sticky. For some, the effects were temporary, but many suffered long-term health problems, including rashes, blisters, and severe headaches. The government initially told residents that the water was safe to drink, advising them to mix it with orange squash to improve its taste.
However, as Carole Wyatt, a resident of St Minver, so eloquently puts it, justice has been scant. "Miscarriage of justice" is an apt phrase to describe the lack of accountability for this catastrophic event, which has had a lasting impact on those affected. Despite a government apology, calls for a public inquiry have largely gone unanswered.
The programme's reliance on archive material and interviews with key figures – including Michael Howard, who denied any suggestion of a cover-up or collusion – provides valuable insight into the events that unfolded at the time. However, it is the personal stories of those affected, like Doug Cross, whose wife died from suspected Alzheimer's symptoms linked to the contaminated water, that bring home the human cost of this disaster.
Cross, a scientist who initially sounded the alarm, has continued to fight for answers, but his efforts have been met with resistance. The programme's title, 'Poison Water', serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for truth and accountability in cases like these. As Leslie Nicks, former head of operations at South West Water, poignantly puts it: "I just want the truth known."
As we reflect on this shocking episode in British history, it is clear that 'Poison Water' has done a crucial job in shedding light on a disaster that has been allowed to fester for far too long. The programme serves as a stark warning about the dangers of corporate greed and bureaucratic incompetence, and the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.
The story begins with a series of bizarre incidents where tap water turned blue or black, and was sometimes gelatinous or sticky. For some, the effects were temporary, but many suffered long-term health problems, including rashes, blisters, and severe headaches. The government initially told residents that the water was safe to drink, advising them to mix it with orange squash to improve its taste.
However, as Carole Wyatt, a resident of St Minver, so eloquently puts it, justice has been scant. "Miscarriage of justice" is an apt phrase to describe the lack of accountability for this catastrophic event, which has had a lasting impact on those affected. Despite a government apology, calls for a public inquiry have largely gone unanswered.
The programme's reliance on archive material and interviews with key figures – including Michael Howard, who denied any suggestion of a cover-up or collusion – provides valuable insight into the events that unfolded at the time. However, it is the personal stories of those affected, like Doug Cross, whose wife died from suspected Alzheimer's symptoms linked to the contaminated water, that bring home the human cost of this disaster.
Cross, a scientist who initially sounded the alarm, has continued to fight for answers, but his efforts have been met with resistance. The programme's title, 'Poison Water', serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for truth and accountability in cases like these. As Leslie Nicks, former head of operations at South West Water, poignantly puts it: "I just want the truth known."
As we reflect on this shocking episode in British history, it is clear that 'Poison Water' has done a crucial job in shedding light on a disaster that has been allowed to fester for far too long. The programme serves as a stark warning about the dangers of corporate greed and bureaucratic incompetence, and the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.
like what kind of system allows a company to poison its customers and then just sits on it ? and now we're expected to believe that the government didn't know about it either ? this is some serious Orwellian stuff . and honestly, who's going to hold these corporate executives accountable for their greed ? are they just above the law or something ? need more like a thorough public inquiry to get to the bottom of this mess 
. The layout of the documentary's trailer is so clean & minimalistic, it feels like a breath of fresh air compared to all the messy drama that unfolded in 1988 
. Seriously though, the lack of accountability is just staggering - it's like they forgot that people have lives outside of corporate profits 
. I'd love to see more info on Doug Cross's case & how he's been fighting for justice 
And now, all these years later, people are still fighting for answers and justice. It's heartbreaking when you think about Doug Cross losing his wife to what might've been linked to contaminated water. That just breaks my heart 
. The documentary 'Poison Water' seems like a must-watch, and I'm glad it's raising awareness about the importance of accountability in cases like this. We need more truth and transparency from those in power 
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michael howard denying anything wrong is wild too... anyone know what really happened with south west water? and why did they keep it under wraps for so long?! this doco has definitely opened my eyes to the power of corporate greed and gov incompetence 
we need more docs like this to expose the truth! 
it's crazy that people were drinking blue-black water thinking it was safe 
carole wyatt is giving me LIFE saying miscarriage of justice 
like, how can that happen?! the fact that michael howard denied any cover-up or collusion is just another layer of proof that something was seriously off 
but kudos to doug cross for speaking out & fighting for truth 
and btw the title "poison water" hits so hard 
let's hope this documentary sparks change & holds ppl in power accountable 
this is soooo depressing I feel bad for all the ppl who went thru that traumatic experience & didn't get justice 4 a loooong time 
