The Japanese hotel changed the water in the thermal pool only twice a year – the owner apologized
In Japan, a 158-year-old hotel changed the water in its thermal pool only twice a year – a health check revealed the water was teeming with potentially deadly pneumonia-causing bacteria. We are talking about an onsen – a traditional Japanese bathhouse or pool that uses water from thermal springs. One of these baths operates at Daimaru Besso Ryokan, a guest house in Fukuoka Prefecture, CNN reports. This institution has been operating for more than a century, but in 2022 it found itself at the center of a scandal. Legionella bacteria were found in the water – their number exceeded the permissible level by 3,700 times. Photo: The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images According to local regulations, the water in the onsen had to be changed every week. But the hotel management admitted that it was changed only twice a year. Makoto Yamada, president of the Daimaru Besso Hotel, apologized for the poor hygiene standards during a press conference. He bowed deeply and added: “I am very sorry.” The man explained that he did not know about the importance of frequent water changes, because it flows from a natural spring. “I didn’t know about the law myself, and I thought legionella bacteria were common bacteria found anywhere and that it was safe because there was running water in the large bathtubs,” Yamada admitted. The president of the hotel added that he himself used the baths even after harmful bacteria were found in them. Illustrative photo: Daimaru Besso Legionella bacteria cause an infection in the lungs, causing a severe form of pneumonia (legionellosis), which can lead to death. Bacteria “live” in shower heads and faucets, hydromassage baths, hot water tanks, decorative fountains or water supply systems in large buildings – a person can get sick by inhaling small droplets of water. The Daimaru Besso baths were temporarily closed last year after the discovery of harmful bacteria. However, now they are working again. “The water for our baths comes from the Futsukaiti Onsen spring, which has been flowing for over 1,300 years and is a symbol of the unchanging history of this area,” the hotel’s website says. Read also: How to purify water from rivers or wells for drinking – instructions from the Ministry of Health
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