Legionella bacteria is still present at State Center, new testing shows
Told to come back to the office – but advised not to drink the building’s water – employees remain concerned about their health
Above: Maryland Health Department employees worry officials aren’t being transparent about water quality problems at the State Center Complex in Baltimore. (Fern Shen)
Test results on water at the State Center office complex in Baltimore show the continuing presence of Legionella even after the system was flushed and sanitized, employees were told in an email this week from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH).
The discovery on November 8 of the health-harming bacteria, which can lead to potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease, had prompted the temporary closure of MDH’s headquarters at 201 West Preston Street and two other office buildings, forcing employees to work from home.
After the Veterans Day holiday weekend, the telework advisory was lifted for MDH employees, and they could return to work.
They were warned, however, not to drink building water until the results of re-testing came back. Bottled water was provided.
Officials at the time told the media that “slightly elevated levels” of Legionella had been discovered during “periodic testing” and that the buildings were to be briefly closed for cleaning “out of an abundance of caution.”
But the problem has persisted.
Employees got the news in an emailed update obtained by The Brew that was sent on Monday evening.
It disclosed the result of that re-testing, which was conducted on November 14:
“These results indicate that legionella bacteria are still present at the State Center Complex buildings,” the email said. “DGS will need to undertake another round of remediation requiring further water flushing/sanitization in the buildings.”
Long-term Problem
The latest finding means more uncertainty for some employees, who note the irony of unhealthy conditions being allowed to exist at the headquarters of the state agency devoted to protecting public health.
Among the issues fueling workers’ concern is the longstanding acknowledgement of water quality problems at the Preston Street building without clear answers from agency officials about what has been causing it.
• Months before Legionella finding at State Center, officials had acknowledged a lack of potable water (11/13/24)
The Brew queried DGS about a memo MDH sent to employees last January that cited “the continued lack of potable water at 201 West Preston Street.”
Soon afterwards, devices were installed on each floor that dispensed filtered building water.
Asked if any testing had been done on the water prior to that memo and, if so, what it showed, a MDH spokesman has not responded.
“Many water fountains were out of service. Since the plumbing was very old, installing leased water coolers with a filtration system was not only cost-effective but also a healthier option,” the spokesman said.
“It’s disturbing to me that we are still working in the building” – MDH employee.
Employees, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal, say the situation leaves them uneasy, wondering what water contamination they may have been exposed to previously and might still be subject to now.
At a November 21 online “Town Hall” with Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott, the subject of water quality was briefly addressed.
“She stated that we don’t have the all-clear because the testing that is being done needs to grow the bacteria in a lab in order to confirm if it is still there. That takes 7-10 days,” the employee said.
“It’s disturbing to me that we are still working in the building if we don’t yet have the all clear.”
Maryland Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott. (Wikipedia)
Health Advisory
“To date, no cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified among State Center employees,” the latest emailed update to employees says.
“If you are experiencing symptoms of pneumonia (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain), contact your healthcare provider,” it advises, also pointing here and here to more information about Legionella
What does the latest advisory mean for the more than 4,000 workers based in the four buildings at the State Center complex?
The complex, northwest of downtown, is the headquarters for many agencies, including the Department of Budget and Management, Tax Court, Disabilities Relay Group and Department of Labor as well as MDH and DGS.
State workers at 300 West Preston Street, 301 West Preston Street, 201 West Preston Street and 1100 Eutaw Street were told their buildings remain open, but were given the following advisory:
“While in the building, individuals should continue using soap and water for handwashing or use hand sanitizer. They should not drink the water until further notice. Use the bottled water that has been provided by DGS. Bottled water is located in each building at the guard station and in the elevator lobby of each floor.”
At State Center in Baltimore, the 301 West Preston Street, where employees have also been advised not to drink the water. (Fern Shen)
Specific recent actions and next steps were also outlined in the recent email:
300 West Preston Street
DGS contractors performed an assessment of the building on November 23 to prepare for re-flushing and sanitizing. The contractor completed the re-flushing and re-sanitizing of the water system for the building on November 24. A more comprehensive level of sanitizing was performed compared to the initial treatment. Water retesting will occur when the labs are open, either before Thanksgiving or immediately after. Water use restrictions will remain in place until those results are received.
301 West Preston Street
Additional re-piping is needed before re-flushing and sanitizing activities begin. DGS contractors walked through the building on November 23 to identify the scope of the re-piping project. DGS is working to develop a timeline for this work, the flushing and sanitizing of the water system for the building and the retesting of the water system. This timeline will be shared as soon as it has been confirmed. Water retesting will occur after the building is re-flushed and sanitized, and an assessment will be obtained from DGS contractors. Water use restrictions will remain in place until those results are received.
201 West Preston Street
Additional re-piping is needed before re-flushing and sanitizing activities begin. DGS contractors were scheduled to walk through on November 25 to identify the scope of the re-piping project. DGS is working to develop a timeline for this work, the flushing and sanitizing of the water system for the building, and the retesting of the water system. This timeline will be shared as soon as it has been confirmed. Water retesting will occur after the building is re-flushed and sanitized as well as getting an assessment from DGS contractors. Water use restrictions will remain in place until those results are received.
1100 North Eutaw Street
DGS is working with the Maryland Department of Labor to discuss the flushing, sanitizing and retesting. Water use restrictions will remain in place until the completion of the retesting.
-To contact a reporter: editors@baltimorebrew.com