Germs in water meters

Stadtwerke Niederkassel exchange water meters for detected germ loads

04/11/2014

Due to possible contamination with germs of the genus „Pseudomonas aeruginosa“ Stadtwerke Niederkassel have had numerous water meters exchanged. Although the germs for healthy people no special health risk, „for very young, very old and seriously ill, as well as immunocompromised people, however, it can mean a risk“, Stadtwerke Niederkassel reports. Many households will therefore receive a new water meter.

After in North Rhine-Westphalia various germs of the type „Pseudomonas aeruginosa“ were found in water meters of a certain manufacturer, Stadtwerke Niederkassel also examined the counters of the affected company in their supply area. „In some water meters in the supply area of ​​Stadtwerke Niederkassel this germ was detected“, so the official message. As a precaution Stadtwerke Niederkassel will therefore replace all meters of the corresponding manufacturer in Niederkassel.

Environmental germ for weakened persons a risk
As so-called „environmental germ“ Pseudomonas aeruginosa is quite common in the human environment and normally no particular threat. Healthy people can not harm the pathogens. But for certain high-risk patients, whose immune system is already weakened, the germ represents a serious health risk, especially as Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often particularly resistant to antibiotics. As a hospital germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa is relatively widespread in Germany and annually responsible for a variety of so-called nosocomial infections (hospital infections).

Check your own meter number
In Niederkassel the public utilities are according to own data „contact the affected households at short notice“, to organize the exchange of water meters. In addition, the Stadtwerke provide on its website for concerned customers a link under which a check of their own counter number is possible. (Fp)