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‘Why weren’t we warned?’

9:42am Wednesday 11th June 2008

comment Comments (22)   Have your say »


A FURIOUS swimmer has hit out after the public was not told about potentially deadly bacteria at a swimming pool for two months.

Max Calo says it is "criminal" Lewisham Council did not warn people about the legionella bacteria at Ladywell Pool as soon as it was discovered.

Mr Calo, of Mount Pleasant Road, regularly uses the pool in Lewisham High Street, which has now been closed.

The 39-year-old said: "It's absolutely shocking.

"People could have contracted Legionnaires' disease and the council didn't say anything for two months. It's criminal.

"It's putting peoples' lives at risk. It should start an investigation."

The bacteria, which can cause the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease, was found in the toilets and showers during routine checks.

A council spokesman said there was no risk to the public because these areas were closed off straight away.

She said: "It is very unlikely anybody is at risk as a result of the low levels of legionella found at Ladywell Pool.

"We have acted quickly as a precaution to ensure the safety of Ladywell Pool users and staff.

She added: "We do not believe there is any immediate danger."

"No illnesses have been reported to either the council or the Health Protection Agency.

"Lewisham Council has sought advice from both Lewisham Primary Care Trust and the SE London unit of the Health Protection Agency to help deal with this incident."

However, Mr Calo says he is worried about the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to the disease.

The bacteria was first discovered on April 1 in two taps in the toilets, which were sealed off and disinfected.

On May 16 tests found it in both the men's and women's showers, and they were also closed off.

Two weeks later samples revealed the legionella was still there and the council told contractors Parkwood Leisure to close Ladywell Leisure Centre as a precaution on May 29.

The water system has now been chlorinated and the Director of Public Health has alerted GPs.

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Maines, a member of Lewisham's healthier communities select committee, says the council "should have acted with a great deal more urgency".

He says the discovery of legionella raises questions about how well the pool is being looked after.

Cllr Maines said: "You expect it to be properly maintained. Things like this shouldn't be happening".

Fellow Lib Dem councillor Mark Morris said: "Merely telling people the pool has closed due to purely precautionary grounds' is totally insufficient considering the potential impact of this disease."

The pool was shut temporarily in 2002 after asbestos was found.

Two years ago artist Mr Calo led the successful Save Ladywell Pool campaign to stop it being knocked down until a replacement was built.

According to the Health Protection Agency website, the bacteria will "only become a risk to health when the temperature allows the legionellae to grow rapidly, such as in water systems which are not properly designed, installed and/or maintained".

Legionnaires' disease is contracted by breathing in fine droplets containing the bacteria.

The centre is due to reopen on June 16.


Your Say YourNews Shopper

katy, bromley says...
10:38am Wed 11 Jun 08

this doesn't surpise me the pools in greenwich and lewisham are some of the dirtest i have ever seen

The Real Me, Here says...
10:44am Wed 11 Jun 08

Get yourself down the Waterfront in Woolwich.....errrrrr
rrrrrrr

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
10:50am Wed 11 Jun 08

Your Lord wonders just how many of Ladywell residents use the pool to have their monthly 'bath'?

There should be attendants on hand to ensure that all swimmers take a shower before being allowed in the pool.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Gillian, Welling says...
11:08am Wed 11 Jun 08

The bacteria was found in the toilets and showers.


Let's Have a New Pool Then, says...
11:32am Wed 11 Jun 08

I trust that Chris, Mark and Max will all be fully behind a new pool for Lewisham then!

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Hot Tub says...
11:35am Wed 11 Jun 08

Indeed, the bacteria was found in the showers because they were a perfect breeding place for germs.

The bacteria had a chance to grow because the showers are probably rarely used.

Come on, we all know that Ladywell has more than its fair share of soap-dodgers.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Locked and Loaded, says...
12:28pm Wed 11 Jun 08

Wait till all the flatulent, weak bladdered OAPs can swim for free.
Anyone for a swim ?

Max Calò, Lewisham says...
12:46pm Wed 11 Jun 08

In response to Mr Let's Have a New Pool I can say that I would wholeheartedly welcome a replacement for Ladywell Pool that is designed to accomodate the needs of the community.
Unfortunately what Lewisham Council is planning is a substantially undersized pool that therefore will not be available to use for many residents.
This new pool will be delivered together with about 3000 new flats and amazingly the data on population growth used for planning its projected usage do not include these developments and do not even include any additional usage derived from the vicinity of the transport interchange at Lewisham Station.
This undersizing came out of the Leisure Needs Analysis commissioned by Lewisham Council to an external consultant that was fed unrealistic data (by Lewisham Council) and therefore delivered the unrealistic results that Lewisham Council is very happy to use and under the clever leadership of Sir Bullock has worked hard to shelter from any criticism.
Now, as this plan was delivered to us by exactly the same people that now delivered us the legionella bacteria and considering that they just showed us that cannot even manage to fix a shower why would anybody want to trust them with building a swimming pool? That is a department of Lewisham Council that needs redoing before they are allowed to redo anything else.
To conclude, whether I welcome or not a new pool does not make a heck of a difference, Sir Bullock is the Mayor and he decides everything, but I won't be pretending that they are doing a very good job when I know that their plans have one major flaw that is the product of both incompetence and hypocrisy.

Jasper, Ladywell says...
2:25pm Wed 11 Jun 08

Steady Erastus,

We Ladywellians (does anyone know what the people of Ladywell are known as, now, now, serious answers please) bathe once a month whether we need it or not.

On a more serious note, Mr Calo is one of the few who are wholeheartedly committed and dedicated to ensuring the Council provide leisure facilities, he needs all our support.

Nick, London says...
3:54pm Wed 11 Jun 08

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:
Indeed, the bacteria was found in the showers because they were a perfect breeding place for germs. The bacteria had a chance to grow because the showers are probably rarely used. Come on, we all know that Ladywell has more than its fair share of soap-dodgers. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Legionella have been known for some time to live within amoebae in the natural environment. Legionella species are the causative agent of the human Legionnaires' disease and the lesser form, Pontiac fever. Legionella transmission is via aerosols—the inhalation of mist droplets containing the bacteria. Common sources include cooling towers, domestic hot-water systems, fountains, and similar disseminators that tap into a public water supply. Natural sources of Legionella include freshwater ponds and creeks. Person-to-person transmission of Legionella has not been demonstrated.

Once inside a host, incubation may take up to two weeks. Initial symptoms are flu-like, including fever, chills, and dry cough. Advanced stages of the disease cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system and lead to diarrhea and nausea. Other advanced symptoms of pneumonia may also present.


The Real Me, Here says...
4:36pm Wed 11 Jun 08

Nick wrote:
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote: Indeed, the bacteria was found in the showers because they were a perfect breeding place for germs. The bacteria had a chance to grow because the showers are probably rarely used. Come on, we all know that Ladywell has more than its fair share of soap-dodgers. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Legionella have been known for some time to live within amoebae in the natural environment. Legionella species are the causative agent of the human Legionnaires' disease and the lesser form, Pontiac fever. Legionella transmission is via aerosols—the inhalation of mist droplets containing the bacteria. Common sources include cooling towers, domestic hot-water systems, fountains, and similar disseminators that tap into a public water supply. Natural sources of Legionella include freshwater ponds and creeks. Person-to-person transmission of Legionella has not been demonstrated. Once inside a host, incubation may take up to two weeks. Initial symptoms are flu-like, including fever, chills, and dry cough. Advanced stages of the disease cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system and lead to diarrhea and nausea. Other advanced symptoms of pneumonia may also present.
Shut up you mug

clubber, welling says...
12:01am Thu 12 Jun 08

i actually work of in lewisham/bromley and run a leisure centre in Downham and it is 1 of the cleanest leisure centre's i have ever been to/worked at. if anyone who uses Ladywell wish's to swim please feel free to come down and enjoy the lovely atmosphere at Downham Health and Leisure Centre :)

Udrankwhat, San Antonio, Texas says...
12:12am Thu 12 Jun 08

Nick is right. Now, how did the Legionella arrive? Are they living in a very sticky slime-mold inside a water main and self-dosing into your plumbing like so many dandelion seeds? We've had samples taken from hospitals under construction, and they've yielded viable units. Active hospitals fight re-infestations frequently, and with little fan-fare. I think the near-term best response is to "educate-up" so as to manage/minimize your own exposures. Good luck!

pc, Hillyfields(ladywell ) says...
12:10pm Thu 12 Jun 08

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:
Indeed, the bacteria was found in the showers because they were a perfect breeding place for germs. The bacteria had a chance to grow because the showers are probably rarely used. Come on, we all know that Ladywell has more than its fair share of soap-dodgers. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
You always have something nasty to say , Most of the homes in and around ladywell are worth over 450,ooo , and like myself have 2 bathrooms so please dont insult us by your own dirty bathroom manners

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, Bexley Village says...
12:22pm Thu 12 Jun 08

PC, you are obviously out to cause trouble.

Perhaps you should go to my latest blog in the Your Shopper section instead of invading news stories:

TROLLIN’, TROLLIN’, TROLLIN’, KEEP THEM BLOGGERS ROLLIN’.

Posted by Lord Erastus Theobald Piggott at 11:04pm on Wed 11 June 2008.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

ross, catford says...
11:24pm Thu 12 Jun 08

Max Calò wrote:
In response to Mr Let's Have a New Pool I can say that I would wholeheartedly welcome a replacement for Ladywell Pool that is designed to accomodate the needs of the community.
Unfortunately what Lewisham Council is planning is a substantially undersized pool that therefore will not be available to use for many residents.
This new pool will be delivered together with about 3000 new flats and amazingly the data on population growth used for planning its projected usage do not include these developments and do not even include any additional usage derived from the vicinity of the transport interchange at Lewisham Station.
This undersizing came out of the Leisure Needs Analysis commissioned by Lewisham Council to an external consultant that was fed unrealistic data (by Lewisham Council) and therefore delivered the unrealistic results that Lewisham Council is very happy to use and under the clever leadership of Sir Bullock has worked hard to shelter from any criticism.
Now, as this plan was delivered to us by exactly the same people that now delivered us the legionella bacteria and considering that they just showed us that cannot even manage to fix a shower why would anybody want to trust them with building a swimming pool? That is a department of Lewisham Council that needs redoing before they are allowed to redo anything else.
To conclude, whether I welcome or not a new pool does not make a heck of a difference, Sir Bullock is the Mayor and he decides everything, but I won't be pretending that they are doing a very good job when I know that their plans have one major flaw that is the product of both incompetence and hypocrisy.
well said max

pc, says...
1:07pm Fri 13 Jun 08

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:
PC, you are obviously out to cause trouble. Perhaps you should go to my latest blog in the Your Shopper section instead of invading news stories: TROLLIN’, TROLLIN’, TROLLIN’, KEEP THEM BLOGGERS ROLLIN’. Posted by Lord Erastus Theobald Piggott at 11:04pm on Wed 11 June 2008. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
One does not cause trouble , I have seen many times on this site the comments you leave.
And there is no reason for me to go to your blog just think before you insult

Broderick Harper, West Yorkshire says...
1:33pm Sun 15 Jun 08

quote
Max Calo is 100% wrong and more worryingly, highly irresponsible

Legionella is NATURALLY occuring. This means that it ccould be found in any water system at any time DESPITE the appropriate control measures

Therefore, if an authority notified the public every time there was a positive result half the buildings in the UK, during any 12 month period, would have to be closed.

So notr only is there no need for the public to be informed, but there was also no need for 'publication' of this - because the problem was no doubt getting resolved

This country is far too neurotic to be trusted with information like this - as this event has shown!!

As the saying goes
'a little knowledge is dangerous'!!

Kim, Tyne and Wear says...
12:55pm Mon 16 Jun 08

Hi Broderick,
I would dispute half the buildings in the UK in a 12 month period, although I do agree with your sentiments.

Max Calò, Lewisham says...
2:43pm Mon 16 Jun 08

I don't think that I'm either wrong or irresponsible, Legionella Bacteria is surely naturally occuring, but if found in showers, that have the right temperature for the bacteria to thrive and also, unlike taps, provide opportunities for the bacteria to be inhaled through droplets then you have the precondition for users to contract the disease.

Max Calò, Lewisham says...
3:08pm Mon 16 Jun 08

I would also like to remind that the bacteria was first found in the taps on 1st April, the taps were closed and the system was allowed to keep running and not treated with the
result that bacteria was found in the showers on samples taken on 2nd May. On receiving the analysis' results on 16th May the showers were closed, that's one and half month for the bacteria to thrive.
In effect the management didn't know the level of bacteria in the water during this period, it could only know that there was a high chance that the bacteria was present and was almost taking a bet on whether it stayed at low levels or increased towards a serious risk level.
People have showered during that period and nobody was told anything about it until two weeks later when after when on 29th May the centre was closed after heath inspection.

Mr Harper says:
So notr only is there no need for the public to be informed, but there was also no need for 'publication' of this - because the problem was no doubt getting resolved


You see, there you are wrong, the problem was not getting resolved, that's the whole point.

ali, catford says...
6:32pm Fri 20 Jun 08

Perhaps what can only really be understood by us locals who use the pool is that the changing facilities in the centre are in a ludicrous state most of the time. I am just as concerned about the dirt I CAN see as the bacteria I can't see. Legionella aside, there is one heck of a load of muck in the changing rooms most of the time. In my opinion they are not hosed down nearly frequently enough during the day, given the large number of people who come through them. Bear in mind that the school children use the same changing rooms which means there is a lot of through traffic and outdoor shoes. There is a large amount of what can only be described as mud on the changing room floors. The school teachers traipse through to the poolside in outdoor shoes, spreading outdoor muck further. Clumps of hair remain on the shower floors and walls for hours at a time. Sometimes there is debris in the showers which was there the day before. The loos are frequently out of paper hand towel which is not replaced for days at a time, despite requests. Ditto loo roll; there is a sign in the wetside loos saying that they are checked regularly and yet I've seen them in a disgusting state before I've got in the pool, only to find them still in a disgusting state when I leave over an hour later. The problem is that Parkwood Leisure are not "minding the shop" for Lewisham Council. Dedicated cleaning staff (the old fashioned way, eh?) would eliminate the problem, instead of the occasional foray through by a pool attendant. I sincerely hope that Lewisham Council do not allow Parkwood Leisure to look after the new pool.

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