Published Saturday, 07 August 2010
They also had to use bed pans rather than flushing the toilets while hospital staff carried out maintenance work.
In a statement, the hospital said the bacteria was discovered in the hot and cold water system, but not in the drinking water, during routine testing on Friday night.
"The bacteria is commonly present in hot and cold water piping, and the measures taken were purely precautionary," the statement said.
The hospital added that all measures were taken to provide staff and patients with alternative water sources.