E.coli traces found at Cork hospital

A Co Cork hospital has replaced its water-treatment system after traces of E.coli were found.

A Co Cork hospital has replaced its water-treatment system after traces of E.coli were found.

The bug was discovered in the water supply at St Stephen's Hospital in Glanmire, the largest psychiatric hospital in the county, during routine testing last Friday, and a boil-water notice has been in place at the hospital since then.

A Health Service Executive (HSE) spokesman said there have been no illnesses linked to the find but that the boil-water notice would remain for a further two weeks as a precaution.

The 60,000-gallon storage tank and the treatment system, which is over 50 years old, was replaced yesterday. The water system also supplies 16 private houses in the hospital grounds.

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

The spokesman added that routine testing was done on the hospital's water system about once a week.