Cryptosporidium, is known as an oocyst. It is a pathogen which is covered by a protective sheath making it difficult to destroy. Chlorine has no effect on it, although chlorine will destroy other bacteria present in the water. Cryptosporidium is generally excreted from sheep or cattle. It is very robust and can stay in water or on the ground for months.

It results in bouts of very sever diarrhoea and there is no medicine which will cure it. You rely on the body’s system generally overcoming the problem

You need to protect your well from direct ingress of water from the surface and ensure the top of the well is sealed from any vermin getting in or sheep / cattle droppings being washed in after rain Protect the water source as much as possible.

Seek advice on this from your local authority Environmental Heath Officer. If you live in Scotland you are entitled to a grant of at least £800 to protect and treat the supply.

Cryptosporidium can be destroyed by either boiling the water or using an ultraviolet unit.

We would suggest an ultraviolet unit with two prefilters. The first would be a 10 micron prefilter followed by a 1 micron filter and then the UV.

Typical cost for a unit delivered to mainland UK is £500.00 including full fixing kit, all necessary instructions and connectors as well as VAT and delivery.

You would be well advised to seek assistance from your local Environmental Heath Officer on protecting your supply or to look at the options on our web site. From your description the water is almost certainly heavily contaminated with raw sewage and this should be eradicated as well as putting in a treatment plant.