Falkirk Council offers little comfort to parents over school dirty water scare

Hot on the heels of controversy surrounding a U-turn on provision of nursery hours, the local authority was forced to close its early learning, childcare centres and primary schools after tests uncovered traces of bacteria in the water supply which can cause legionnaires disease.

It is believed around 500 youngsters have used this form of childcare provision over the last 14 days.

The Falkirk Herald contacted Falkirk Council this week for an update on the situation and asked if someone from education services could offer parents of those affected any reassurance.

A council spokesman responded: “The initial testing we are undertaking is complete and we are continuing to receive results. Once these have been analysed, we will update the council website with any changes to the position we reported at the weekend.”

The schools currently confirmed as affected by the bacteria are Bantaskin Primary School, Camelon Nursery, Carrongrange High School, Deanburn Primary School, Larbert ELCC, Maddiston Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School, with results awaited for the remainder.

According to the local authority’s website, the council carried out a number of safety checks at schools prior to the return of children and staff in August. Further information will be made available to parents as necessary.

The site stated: “As a precaution the council has temporarily closed all early learning and childcare centres and primary schools, other than for essential access including testing and distribution of food.

“Childcare hubs have been relocated to secondary schools while appropriate treatment and repeat sampling is carried out. This will give us an opportunity to treat the local water supply and take advice from public health colleagues on the remedial actions that may be required.

“Secondary schools have been tested and confirmed as clear.”

NHS Forth Valley stated it is playing no further part in the matter, which it said was being handled by the council’s environmental health service. Apparently NHS Forth Valley public health team had only been asked for their advice by the council.

However, at the weekend Doctor Henry Prempeh, NHS Forth Valley public health consultant, sent out letters to parents affected.

He stated immediate action should be taken if youngsters who have attended at the childcare hubs start to become unwell.

“Although the likelihood of your child becoming unwell is very low, as a precaution, if they develop any of these symptoms – cough and fever as well as headache, muscle pains, pain in the eyes or ears, diarrhoea within 14 days of their last attendance at a childcare hub, please contact your GP to arrange a check up and take this letter with you.”

Dr Prempeh added assessments of water quality at some schools indicated elevated levels of bacteria, including legionella and pseudomonas, which can build up in water supplies during periods of low usage.

He said: “You are receiving this letter as your child or children has or have been identified by Falkirk Council as being among 500 children that have used their critical child care provision within early years and primary school establishment recently.

“Water systems in public buildings like schools are routinely managed by Falkirk Council in accordance with relevant guidelines. Where any elevated levels of bacteria are detected, these can be eliminated by flushing and treating which is being arranged where required.

“NHS Forth Valley’s health protection team has reviewed the water sample test results and can reassure you that the risk of anyone becoming unwell is very low. As a precautionary measure Falkirk Council has temporarily closed all early learning and additional support needs child care hubs with the exception of provision at Kinnaird Thistle Wing which will be relocated to the Annexe at Larbert High School which will also remain open.

“Primary school hubs have been relocated to secondary schools, none of which are affected.”