“Following laboratory reports from Sunday, November 30th, which detected positive results for Legionella in samples collected from the Albufeira Municipal Swimming Pool Complex's hot water system, the Municipality has decided to temporarily close that sports facility starting tomorrow [today], December 2nd,” reads a statement from the municipality published on social media.

The Municipality emphasises that on Sunday, given the risk classification, all necessary safety procedures and treatments were carried out by the company responsible for maintenance, especially shock cleaning and disinfection operations of the hot water systems and pipes.

Furthermore, “new samples are being taken for preliminary evaluation” and, subsequently, after 10 to 15 days of the intervention, samples will be collected for an initial assessment of the effectiveness of the corrective measures adopted.

The statement says that the Mayor of Albufeira, Rui Cristina, and the Vice-Mayor, Jorge Carmo, responsible for the Sports portfolio, “have been monitoring the situation since the first minute."

The situation is being coordinated with Public Health authorities for the rapid resolution of the problem, with a view to the complex "being able to reopen again, after the total guarantee of safety for the health of users," it adds.

Competition

The presence of Legionella has already led the Portuguese Swimming Federation to have to look for another location for the Junior Zonal Competition - South Zone, scheduled for December 6th, 7th and 8th, according to a note released on social media.

"The new location will be communicated as soon as possible, as soon as all the necessary safety and quality conditions for holding the competition are met," the entity states.

Legionella is a type of bacteria responsible for a respiratory disease called Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia considered atypical.

The infection is not transmitted from person to person or by ingesting water, but by inhaling droplets of contaminated water suspended in the air.