A company has been fined £900,000 after legionella broke out at its sheltered housing accommodation, putting vulnerable residents at risk of contracting a deadly disease. The bacteria was detected at Vincent Naughton Court on Rodney Street in Birkenhead , following the sampling of its water systems in the communal areas and flats in July and August 2018 .
The letter also failed to inform residents that they should avoid using their showers, which would lead to residents being exposed to the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. Further testing on August 8 and 15 confirmed legionella was still present as work to fix the water system was carried out. The residents were later evacuated on August 24. Sanctuary Housing Association, of Castle Street, Worcester pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.