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9:42am Wednesday 11th June 2008
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.
The Real Me, Here says...
10:44am Wed 11 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
10:50am Wed 11 Jun 08
Gillian, Welling says...
11:08am Wed 11 Jun 08
Let's Have a New Pool Then, says...
11:32am Wed 11 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Hot Tub says...
11:35am Wed 11 Jun 08
Locked and Loaded, says...
12:28pm Wed 11 Jun 08
Max Calò, Lewisham says...
12:46pm Wed 11 Jun 08
Jasper, Ladywell says...
2:25pm Wed 11 Jun 08
Nick, London says...
3:54pm Wed 11 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote: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 aerosolsthe 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.
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
The Real Me, Here says...
4:36pm Wed 11 Jun 08
Nick wrote:Shut up you mug
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 PiggottLegionella 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 aerosolsthe 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.
clubber, welling says...
12:01am Thu 12 Jun 08
Udrankwhat, San Antonio, Texas says...
12:12am Thu 12 Jun 08
pc, Hillyfields(ladywell ) says...
12:10pm Thu 12 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote: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
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
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, Bexley Village says...
12:22pm Thu 12 Jun 08
ross, catford says...
11:24pm Thu 12 Jun 08
Max Calò wrote:well said max
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.
pc, says...
1:07pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:One does not cause trouble , I have seen many times on this site the comments you leave.
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
Broderick Harper, West Yorkshire says...
1:33pm Sun 15 Jun 08
quoteMax Calo is 100% wrong and more worryingly, highly irresponsible
Kim, Tyne and Wear says...
12:55pm Mon 16 Jun 08
Max Calò, Lewisham says...
2:43pm Mon 16 Jun 08
Max Calò, Lewisham says...
3:08pm Mon 16 Jun 08
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
ali, catford says...
6:32pm Fri 20 Jun 08
Ladywell Pool
Max Calo says Lewisham Council should have told swimmers as soon as it discovered legionella bacteria at Ladywell Pool LC7447
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katy, bromley says...
10:38am Wed 11 Jun 08