Cornwall's Toxic Tap Water: A 36-Year Fight for Justice

In 1988, north Cornwall residents were subjected to Britain's biggest mass poisoning event when toxic aluminium sulphate contaminated their water supply. The water, described as black and gelatinous, caused widespread illness, including vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, and severe headaches, with some experiencing long-term health problems and premature deaths. For over two weeks, authorities failed to admit the severity of the crisis, even suggesting residents add orange squash to mask the taste.

Decades later, many victims, like Carole Wyatt, continue to fight for justice, demanding a public inquiry that has yet to materialize. Archive footage and new interviews reveal the apparent incompetence and greed within the water industry, particularly during the lead-up to its privatization. Former minister Michael Howard denies any cover-up, calling it a "terrible mistake."

Individuals like scientist Doug Cross vividly remember the incident, having lost his wife Carole to Alzheimer's, with postmortem tests revealing high aluminium levels in her brain. Despite the lack of definitive proof linking the water to her condition, no effort has been made to investigate such connections for the 20,000 affected individuals. The struggle for truth and accountability persists, with former water authority head Leslie Nicks hoping the truth is finally heard.