CHANGING rooms at a sports centre have been closed after potentially fatal bacteria were found in part of its water the system.

Legionella bacteria, which can cause legionnaires’ disease – a potentially fatal form of pneumonia – was discovered in a tank at Manningtree Sports Centre.

Tendring Council runs the centre, at Manningtree High School, in conjunction with the school. It responded by closing changing rooms served by the affected water tank and is to clean out the systems, then re-test them.

Stephen Mayzes, councillor responsible for leisure, said: “While, under the Health and Safety Executive guidelines, we did not have to go as far as we have, and the level of the bacteria is relatively low, a decision was rightly made to take immediate action.

“Only one water tank is affected and the changing rooms served by that tank have been closed for between one and two weeks while the work is undertaken.

“The health and wellbeing of all our customers must always come first.”

A reading of 400 cfu per litre of the bacteria was found in a water sample taken at the Manningtree centre.

The Health and Safety Executive recommends where samples contain levels between 100 to 1,000 cfu per litre, new samples should be taken, but it does not necessarily recommend closure.

Mr Mayzes continued: “Because there is another tank, which is unaffected, customers will be able to access other changing rooms and showers and the centre will remain open.”

The bacteria was found by council staff carrying out routine checks.

Headteacher Deborah Hollister said: “Parents, students, staff and governors have all been advised and we will work with Tendring Council to resolve the matter as soon as possible.”