Traces of a bacteria which causes lung infections have been found in council-owned housing.

During water testing carried out by Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing team, Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, was found in the communal water supply of 13 senior housing schemes.

The affected outlets have been taken out of use and no reports of infection have been made. There is also no risk to water supply in residents’ self-contained kitchens and bathrooms.

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection which can be caused by inhaling droplets of water containing the bacteria. The droplets often come from air conditioning systems, taps and showers not used often or hot tubs.

Map shows where Legionella has been found in Brighton and Hove council homes

Traces were found at: 

  • Elizabeth Court, Wilbury Road 
  • Elwyn Jones Court, South Woodlands 
  • Evelyn Court, Windlesham Close
  • Hazelholt, Chalky Road
  • Jubilee Court, The Crescent
  • Laburnum Grove, Burstead Close 
  • Leach Court, Park Street
  • Sanders House, Ingram Crescent West
  • Somerset Point, Somerset Street
  • Southease, Whitehawk Road
  • Walter May House, Whitehawk Road
  • Muriel House, Ingram Crescent West
  • Jasmine Court, Carden Avenue 

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The council said residents can continue to use their own showers, baths, hand basins and sinks as normal as it takes “immediate action” to clear the traces from all outlets.

Advice has also been shared for residents to reduce the risk of Legionella:

  • Regularly descale the shower head
  • Take the shower head off and place it in a bowl of diluted disinfectant or shower head cleaning agent if going on holiday for longer than a week
  • After returning from a holiday, run the shower for a few minutes and then refit the showerhead

Councillor Gill Williams, cabinet member for housing and new homes, said: “Our number one priority is the health and safety of our residents, which is why we’ve introduced regular sampling of the water supply in the communal areas of our seniors schemes and our extra care scheme.

“We are sorry for the concern this will have caused and have taken immediate steps to deal with the issues raised by the testing. This swift action is why it is so important to carry out regular testing.

“We have contacted all residents in the schemes affected and will remain in regular communication with them as we remedy the issue.”

Regular testing of the water supply is carried out by HSL Compliance weekly to monitor water quality. A total of 22 senior housing schemes and one assisted living scheme were assessed during the round of testing.