Maryland - Legionella Prevention and Costs of Legionnaires Outbreaks
Historical Headlines Related to Legionella
December 12, 2024
Test results on water at the State Center office complex in Baltimore show the continuing presence of Legionella. These results came even after the system was flushed and sanitized, employees were told in an email this week from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Under pressure from state workers and unions reacting to persistent Legionella bacteria findings at State Center, Maryland officials are again ordering the buildings at the sprawling Baltimore office complex to be shut down for systems to be flushed and sanitized. (Source)
December 3, 2024
In November, through periodic testing, the State Center building in West Baltimore showed slightly elevated numbers of legionella in the water after testing. The building was subsequently closed as more tests were conducted. Over the holiday weekend, the building was closed not because of the bacteria, but because the water was turned off as the pipes were sanitized. Officials say other buildings in the immediate area had their water shut off for tests "out of an abundance of caution." Water will be shut off at two other buildings as their water systems will be rectified. (Source)
September 19, 2024
The union representing staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called on the agency to allow temporary remote work after Legionella bacteria was found at multiple EPA facilities around the country. Officials have reportedly closed certain sinks, water fountains and other water sources at EPA buildings in Washington, D.C.; Houston; and Chicago after positive tests for the bacteria. “Expecting staff to come into the office and put themselves at risk of exposure is completely unacceptable. We have the ability and the technology to allow our workers to continue working safely from an alternate work location while the situation is being remediated.” (Source)
September 12, 2024
Legionella has been found in various locations at the EPA’s headquarters in Washington. A routine test conducted in early August at the William Jefferson Clinton North and South buildings in downtown Washington, D.C., found Legionella present in three water fountains, two expansion tanks, and a pantry sink. The General Services Administration “swiftly closed the contaminated sources, implemented corrective actions, and conducted additional testing,” according to the report. The affected water sources will remain out of commission pending further sampling and analysis. (Source)
August 30, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission is allowing hundreds of employees to work from home for the rest of the month “out of an abundance of caution” after Legionella bacteria were found at FTC headquarters. The decision comes as the General Services Administration is testing more than 7,400 federally owned and leased spaces. Partial results for 1,628 spaces show that about one quarter of locations — including the headquarters of the General Services Administration itself have Legionella bacteria levels that exceed thresholds, a GSA official said. The FTC building remains open. But some water fixtures were taken out of service, and follow-up testing occurred Wednesday, with results expected in two weeks. (Source)
August 8, 2024
There was a Legionella outbreak in a building that houses state offices. Legionella was found in a building at St. Paul Plaza in downtown Baltimore. The building's management said it's following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health. A message that was sent to state employees from the Maryland Department of General Services described how Legionella was discovered in three locations on non-state-occupied floors of the building. "While there are check valves on each floor to safeguard the water system in the building, out of an abundance of caution, DGS has requested that the landlord perform testing throughout the building," DGS said in its message. "DGS is recommending that employees working at this location ... telework. For those that cannot telework, administrative leave will be granted." (Source)
August 1, 2024
Elevated levels of Legionella bacteria were recently detected in water fixtures during routine testing at the Social Security Administration’s headquarters building in Woodlawn, Maryland. A spokesperson for Social Security said in a statement to Federal Times that after a broad sweep of water fixtures, some came back with elevated levels. Experts noted to the General Services Administration that this is not unusual as roughly half of the water samples they take come back positive. Upon retesting, only “a small subset” of water sources in the main campus building indicated elevated levels, according to the official. Impacted fixtures have been removed, and the spokesman said employees have been notified. Officials also said they’ve flushed the system, which helps disrupt any film that have developed over water sources and stops the growth of any naturally present Legionella. (Source)
July 12, 2024
According to officials, elevated levels of Legionella bacteria were recently detected in water fixtures during routine testing at the Social Security Administration’s headquarters building in Woodlawn, Maryland. A spokesperson for Social Security said in a statement that after a broad sweep of water fixtures, some came back with elevated levels, which is not unusual given testing experts have told the General Services Administration that roughly half of the water samples they take come back positive. (Source)
June 27, 2024
After Legionella bacteria was discovered in the building’s water supply, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) headquarters in Baltimore has temporarily closed. The presence of Legionella prompted immediate action to protect staff and CMS officials have assured that no employees have been harmed by the bacteria. The bacteria was found during routine plumbing tests, as reported by the Washington Post. CMS stated, “The health and safety of the CMS workforce is our top priority. In an abundance of caution, we have closed our location in Baltimore until the situation is resolved.” The building will remain closed for several weeks while the water supply undergoes treatment. Employees have been instructed to work remotely during this period. (Source)
December 11, 2023
In a letter to the editor, a Ocean City, MD resident claimed that "We have an issue with legionella bacteria in the water in Ocean City." They went on to state, "The large condos that had over 1,000 people in them during the season may contain less than 100. Some condo units may be vacant for weeks or even months. Whatever chlorine the city added to the water has long since evaporated. And since the heat must remain on in vacant condos to prevent pipe freezing, there is an opportunity for those low concentrations of legionella to grow and reach alarming levels." (Source)
November 2, 2023
Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's top research center, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland, complained to federal regulators about hazards in the site's ventilation system, including risk of Legionella bacteria. The complaint sent to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alleged that the facility's chillers, which are part of temperature regulation systems, had not received maintenance in more than three years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chiller maintenance is necessary to protect staff and community members from Legionella, a bacteria that can cause the lung infection Legionnaire's disease. (Source)
August 24, 2023
Investigation of the source of a single Legionnaires’ disease case at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland is ongoing according to the Office of Public Affairs, Federal Bureau of Prisons. No additional cases of Legionnaires’ have been identified at the prison and no deaths deaths have occured. “Every FBOP facility including FCI Cumberland has contingency plans to address a large range of concerns or incidents, including communicable diseases, and is fully equipped and prepared to implement these plans as necessary,” the spokesman said. While the FBOP’s contingency plans “are sensitive in nature” and unavailable to the public, the bureau takes communicable diseases seriously, he said. (Source)
March 8, 2023
Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 512. The SB 512 Bill is titled Drinking Water – Legionella Pneumophila Bacterium – Minimizing Growth and Transmission. This bill requires localities operating public water systems to maintain a detectable residual disinfectant level of at least 0.5 milligrams per liter of chlorine. The testimony argued that while the goal of delivering safe public utilities is noble, the procedure called for in SB 512 imposes an unreasonable mandate on local government. The timeline counties would need to adhere to is particularly onerous under the bill. Counties would be required to notify the public and test for certain water contaminants no more than four hours after becoming aware of a disruption in a water system. Compliance with these requirements, and the myriad others listed in the bill, would no doubt increase operating costs and expenses for ratepayers. (Source)
March 1, 2023
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) sent a warning letter to American Cruise Lines after 3 passengers developed Legionnaire’s disease and the company failed to adequately treat the ships’ drinking water. The first confirmed case of Legionnaire’s disease was reported in April 2021, with two more cases reported in September and October 2021. Between April and August 2022, FDA inspectors tested the drinking water on the American Star and American Heritage and found ongoing evidence of Legionella bacteria. 93% of water samples on the American Star tested positive for Legionella bacteria in April 2022, including samples taken from showerheads in the rooms for passengers and crew. (Source)
August 18, 2022
In 2019, Maryland state health officials confirmed that Legionella was found in the water system at the MDTA I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel facility. According to Maryland State Health Department, 19 of 28 samples collected at the facility July 10 tested positive for Legionella, though at very low concentrations. Tests were done again July 12 following water treatment, and results showed significant improvement — only one of the 28 samples came back positive, again at very low concentrations.
Reported Settlements and Jury Awards
Given the incidence of legionella in Maryland, and its associated harm, personal injury claims and litigation are also becoming more frequent. Reported settlements and jury awards are unavailable at this time.
State Cap on Jury Awards
Maryland has a cap on the award amounts allowable by law. The Maryland statute places an $830,000 cap on non-economic damages for injuries and wrongful death cases. The cap increases to $1,245,000 in wrongful death cases if you include the cap on survival actions. If there are two or more claimants in a wrongful death case, the cap increases to $2,075,000. In addition, public health notices and negative media attention can also lead to business interruption and reputation damage.
Groundwater Temperature Risk Level – Medium
Overall Liability and Risk for Maryland – High
No, ASHRAE 188 is not part of the state code
Legionella and Water Management Plan Assistance
Need help? For Legionella consulting and services, Water Management Plans, Legionella Control Systems, and Legionella testing please contact us at Legionella Control Systems at 888-416-8626 or info@legionellacontrolsystems.com
