Legionella Bacteria Found In Illinois State Capitol

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Preliminary tests indicated that Legionella bacteria has been found in the water at the Capitol. A memo sent to staff at the 14-building Capitol Complex said there have been four positive readings for the bacteria, the State Journal Register reported. The bacteria causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, although no cases have been reported at the Capitol among employees or the public, according to the memo.

Tests of the water are continuing and a "water flushing program have been instituted" to maximize the among of fresh water heading the plumbing at the complex, the memo said. Showers at the Capitol had already been disabled and aerators were removed from faucets when staff was instructed last month to only wash their hands with a pencil-thin stream of water.

According to the memo, "transmission of this bacteria in normal, day-to-day office operations is unlikely."

A spokesperson for the Secretary of State told the Journal-Register the four water samples that tested positive for the bacteria came from three locations: the women's restroom in the basement of the Michael J. Howlett Building, an industrial humidified in the south wing of the main Capitol building and the cooling tower in the Central Management Services computer center at 201 W. Adams St., which produced two positive results.

» Read more from the State Journal-Register

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