Traces Of E.coli Found At Cork Hospital

The largest psychiatric hospital in Co Cork has had to replace its water treatment system after traces of E. coli were found in the water supply. The water system at St Stephen’s Hospital in Glanmire also supplies 17 private houses in the hospital grounds.

The E. coli traces were found during routine testing last Friday and a boil water notice was issued. There are 151 patients and 300 staff at the hospital. A Health Service Executive spokesman said there have been no  illnesses linked to the find but the boil notice will remain in place as a precautionary measure for the next two weeks.

The 273,000 litre storage tank and the treatment system were replaced yesterday. The spokesman said the hospital is strictly adhering to the advice of the HSE’s Environmental Health Department on boiling water and using bottled water.

Cork County Council also has a water treatment system on the 100 acre hospital site, which supplies the Glanmire area, but the spokesman stressed there is no problem with their system or the quality of that water.