News / Legionella bacteria found on barge
THE COUNCIL’S environmental health department has confirmed that Legionella bacteria have been found on board the accommodation barge Bibby Challenge currently berthed at Scalloway.
The barge was towed into Scalloway harbour earlier this month to house men working on a long term maintenance programme at Sullom Voe Terminal.
Environmental health manager Maggie Sandison said there was no public health concern as the water system would be flushed with water and bleach before the barge would be occupied.
It was discovered when the barge operator, contrary to their own procedures, took a sample before flushing and commissioning the water system.
“It is not uncommon to have Legionella in these environments, but you would normally not get a ‘positive’ sample, because you would flush the system before taking a sample,” Mrs Sandison said.
“A specialist contractor is here and working with the system, once the system is fully commissioned, further samples will be taken.
“The samples will be reviewed prior to occupation to establish the system is free of Legionella,” she added.
Most cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) are caused by L. pneumophila, which is found in natural water supplies and soil.
It is also found in man-made water supply systems, such as ships, and the bacteria tends to multiply in shower heads, or similar, which haven’t been used for a while.
Legionnaires’ disease causes a serious lung infection and can be fatal in some cases.
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