• A woman died on July 15 from a legionellosis infection at the Cité de la Savine.

  • This bacteria thrives in water, at temperatures above 25 degrees.

  • The social landlord distributed filtering shower heads to the inhabitants of the building concerned and chlorinated the water.

"I don't know, I live in Marseille", informs a man in front of the school of the Cité de la Savine, in the 15th arrondissement of the city.

Miriam, she knows.

She lives in Building E of the Crown Residence in Savine, "built four years ago," she says.

This same building where Chamis, described as "an elderly lady with fragile health, suffering from diabetes", died on July 15 of an infection of Legionnellosis, a bacteria that can grow in water.

"We were given shower heads and posters were put up in the halls."

The one dated August 16 states: "Following the chlorination of domestic hot water, the analyzes of your network reveal a level of Legionella in conformity for 6 out of 7 draw-off points, attesting to the effectiveness of the treatment".

The cold shower against the bacteria

However, these announcements are not likely to reassure the inhabitants who feel a pronounced mistrust for their water. Like Miriam, Hakim has been drinking "only mineral water since July, and you have to get off by bus to find a business," he explains. For others, this mistrust is not new. Linda has only been drinking mineral water for 10 years. Coco, a young mother who grew up in this large complex nestled on a hill, has always drunk only that; his parents never trusted.

"We live in anguish," continues Saloma, who no longer takes a shower in cold water, legionellosis developing from 25 degrees. With a dozen other residents of the building, they are considering legal action against Logeam, the social landlord. "We contacted Master Slimani, who also takes care of Air-Bel - another city which also died due to legionellosis in 2017", informs Rachida Tier, president of the Alliance Savinoise association. And to feed the file, the residents intend to produce urine tests to measure their level of Legionella. “But the lessor is listening, says Rachida. An information breakfast for residents who are worried and unfamiliar with this disease is planned with Logeam officials in the coming days. "

A rate 750 times higher than the norm

Informed on July 8 by the ARS of a case of legionellosis, itself warned by a doctor of this "notifiable disease", specifies the health authority, the lessor ordered samples.

"On certain points, during the first analyzes carried out on July 12 and 13 (that is to say before the start of chlorination) a rate of 750,000 CFU / L was noted", rewinds the lessor.

A very high rate compared to the “compliant” level which must be below 1,000 CFU / L.

The water network was chlorinated on July 28, stopping "the process of bacterial proliferation", indicates Logirem, which is currently continuing "the necessary work" and control analyzes.

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  • Legionellosis

  • Potable water

  • Northern neighborhoods

  • Marseilles