Deadly legionnaires bug fears over water at Princes Street Gardens

Published on Monday 20 October 2008 10:12

THE Ross Fountain had to be closed down over fears of an outbreak of the bug which causes legionnaires disease, it has emerged.

Hygiene inspectors found there was a "significant" risk of the disease being spread from the fountain in Princes Street Gardens.

They ordered that the fountain be stopped until the problem – stemming from a shortage of chlorine – was sorted.

The health alert, which took place in June last year, has been revealed in papers newly published under the Freedom of Information Act.

And a drinking fountain at the ageing James Gillespie's High School also had to be shut off, because copper levels seven times the recommended level were causing the water to turn green, the papers revealed.

In the last year 134 water safety tests were failed within council-run facilities, although in the vast majority of incidents there turned out to be no risk to health.

The incidents involved public toilets, council offices, schools and council houses, with many buildings ordered to upgrade their facilities. In one inspection at Wauchope House flats in Niddrie silver was found to be in the water system.

The metal had seeped into the water supply through a leaking pipe and did not pose any serious health risk. Residents drank bottled water until it was flushed out of the system.

The council carries out thousands of water tests every year and the number of failures is relatively low. But the three most serious incidents needed prompt action to protect the public.

A senior water industry source said: "It's pretty bad news if you discover legionella because it's what eventually causes legionnaires. You simply can't have this kind of thing in a public facility.

"Fountains usually are vulnerable because people could be excavating nearby and burst or damage pipes leading to it, which can let bacteria in."

Environment leader councillor Robert Aldridge said: "Our expert analytical scientists carry out thousands of water sampling tests every year to ensure that the city's water is safe to drink.

"In cases where samples fail to comply with the drinking water regulations, investigations are carried out into the cause and immediate action is taken to resolve any issues."

THE (UNHEALTHY) WATER TABLE

List of premises which failed to meet regulations:

&#149 James Gillespie's High School

&#149 Ross Fountain

&#149 Wauchope House (certain flats within)

&#149 Ferrylee Care Home

&#149 Northumberland Street social work

&#149 Colinton Library

&#149 Bruntsfield public toilets

&#149 Canaan Lane public toilets

&#149 Canonmills public toilets

&#149 Taylor Gardens public toilets

&#149 South Queensferry public toilets

&#149 Springwell House Community Centre

&#149 Castle Terrace Car Park

&#149 Nicolson Square public toilets

&#149 Castle Hill public toilets

&#149 London Road public toilets

&#149 Tollcross public toilets

&#149 Northview Court council housing

&#149 Balerno High School

&#149 Garvald Court council housing

&#149 Queensferry High School

&#149 Coillesdene Loan Sheltered Housing

&#149 Boroughmuir High School

&#149 Princes St Gardens public toilets

&#149 Inchmickery Court council housing

&#149 Laichfield Sheltered Housing

&#149 Restalrig Sheltered Housing

&#149 South Area Office

&#149 East Area Office

&#149 Queensferry Area Office

&#149 Currie Area Housing Office

&#149 Moncrieffe House council housing

&#149 Forteviot House council housing

&#149 Renton House Sheltered Housing

&#149 Birnies Court Council Housing

&#149 North Area Office

&#149 Persevere Court council housing

&#149 Citadel Court council housing

&#149 Powderhall Depot

&#149 West End public toilets

&#149 Bingham Way homeless accommodation

&#149 Braehead Depot

&#149 St John's Road public toilets

&#149 Porthaven residential care home

&#149 Cobbinshaw House accommodation

&#149 Medwin House South council housing

&#149 Inchcolm Court council housing

&#149 Inchgarvie Court council housing

&#149 Mound public toilets

&#149 Pilton Children and Family Centre