Oakland County to form water safety committee after Legionella found

Oakland County will form a water safety committee after Legionella bacteria were detected at two county buildings, and officials say recent tests show the presence of the bacteria has been significantly reduced.

Oakland County will establish a water safety committee after Legionella bacteria were detected at two county buildings last month. The sheriff's administration building and the Oakland County Courthouse were temporarily closed after water tests found the bacteria. Tests were ordered following a custodial employee's diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease. County officials say corrective actions and expanded testing are in progress. What is known: - Legionella bacteria were detected at the Sheriff's Administration Building and the Oakland County Courthouse, prompting temporary closures earlier in December. - Tests were initiated after a custodial employee was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. - County officials report corrective measures have been taken and that recent samples show the bacteria's presence has been significantly reduced. - Testing, preventative maintenance and monitoring will continue through May, and the county is implementing an expanded testing framework at other facilities. Summary: Officials state that recent water sampling shows reduction in the detected bacteria and that corrective steps have been applied at the affected buildings. The county plans to form a water safety committee to strengthen long-term monitoring and protocols, and testing and maintenance will continue through May.