W. Orange Worker Didn’t Get Legionnaire's At Town Hall: Official

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The water supply at West Orange Town Hall has been “remediated," but the town is still awaiting test results for several other buildings in the wake of a municipal worker’s recent contraction of Legionnaire's Disease, officials said Tuesday.

On July 26, West Orange town officials announced that an environmental company discovered elevated levels of legionella bacteria – the organisms that lead to Legionnaire's Disease – in the water at Town Hall. The discovery was made after a longtime municipal employee was hospitalized with the disease.

The employee worked at two buildings in West Orange, one of which was Town Hall, officials said.

However – based on expert opinions - town officials now say that it's unlikely the worker contracted the disease from the water at Town Hall, since more than one person would have gotten sick.

• See related article: Legionella Found At West Orange Town Hall After Worker Gets Sick

Since discovering the elevated bacteria levels at Town Hall, the township has taken several steps to address the problem. On July 27, officials released the following statement:

“Last night an environmental company installed hospital approved filters on all public water sources at the Municipal Building. According to outside medical experts, the public water supply is now fully safe for use and consumption.”

Officials said that they planned to begin testing “all other West Orange municipally-owned public buildings” in early August, with test results expected to take about two weeks.

“In the meantime, the following facts exists with regard to Legionella,” Director of Health Theresa DeNova said. “It is not contagious, person to person… it is not airborne… it cannot be contracted by drinking or touching water… and the way it is contracted is by inhaling contaminated water mist.”

On Aug. 7, town officials provided another update on the situation:

“Please be advised that on Tuesday, August 14 and Wednesday August 15, the potable water supply in Town Hall will be shut down for remedial action. Toilets will be operational and bottled water and Purell will provided in the restrooms for handwashing and sanitizing. Drinking water is available at the water coolers on the first and second floor.”

West Orange Business Administrator John Sayers provided additional information on the situation during Tuesday’s town council meeting (watch video below).

According to Sayers:

• The town employee diagnosed with Legionnaire's Disease is now back to work, and to the town’s knowledge, no others have contracted the disease
• The township hired a private company, Omega Environmental Services, to test water at 17 municipal buildings
• As of Aug. 7, the township has only received results for the DPW and Town Hall buildings
• The township has also met with New Jersey American Water representatives, who are working with a town consultant

When questioned about the situation, Sayers also said that – based on expert opinions - town officials don’t believe that the worker contracted the disease from the water at Town Hall, since more than one person would have been likely to become sick.

For questions or more information, contact the West Orange Health Department at 973-325-4120 or email healthdept@westorange.org

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Photo: YouTube / West Orange, NJ