Sanctuary Housing Association has been fined £900,000 after an outbreak of legionella bacteria was found in the water system of its sheltered housing complex, Vincent Naughton Court, in Birkenhead. The outbreak, detected in July and August 2018, put vulnerable residents at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially deadly condition.

Tests on the water system in the communal areas and individual flats at Vincent Naughton Court revealed that all 44 samples taken tested positive for legionella. This prompted the evacuation of residents in August 2018. Following corrective measures, including the installation of a chlorination unit, residents were able to return between October and November 2018.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Sanctuary Housing had failed to adequately manage the risk of legionella. Staff were reportedly insufficiently trained and supervised, placing the elderly and health-compromised residents in danger of exposure to the bacteria. The HSE report highlighted that initial tests detected legionella on July 16 and July 31. However, residents were not evacuated until August 24, with interim communications failing to clearly advise them to avoid using showers, a key transmission risk.

Sanctuary Housing Association, based in Worcester, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Alongside the £900,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay an additional £11,480.60 in costs by Liverpool Crown Court on October 22, 2024.

HSE inspector Rose Leese-Weller commented, “Sanctuary Housing failed to protect vulnerable residents through mismanagement of the site’s water system. It is fortunate that no residents became ill despite prolonged exposure to contaminated water. Sanctuary Housing did not provide its staff with adequate training or supervision to manage such risks effectively.”

The prosecution was led by HSE enforcement lawyer Kate Harney and paralegal officer Lucy Gallagher.