The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that hot water has been shut off in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio after water samples tested positive for Legionella bacteria.
From the article by Zack Lemon:
According to a memo from the Department of Administrative Services that was obtained by The Dispatch, three of six samples from the building’s hot water system in the tower tested positive.
As a result, all hot water faucets and devices have been shut off; hot water tanks and pipes have been drained; and “heavy chlorination” will occur this weekend.
The memo says hot water is expected to be restored by Monday. Until then, liquid hand sanitizers will be provided in restrooms and kitchen areas.
Additional samples will be taken on Monday and sent to a lab for testing, which can take as long as two weeks.
Legionella bacteria are usually harmless, but precautions are necessary as people can develop pneumonia by breathing in droplets. Anyone with medical problems and the elderly are more susceptible to becoming ill. Deaths have been reported during previous outbreaks.
More details on Legionnaire's disease can be found in the full article at the link below.
This incident at the Rhodes Tower follows an alert that was issued for elevated nitrate levels in water in Franklin County, Ohio on June 8th. Although unrelated, the two incidents remind me of how much more attention water news is getting nowadays. My hope is that we all will do more to preserve and protect our water sources by taking steps towards action. This is no time to sit back and think that government regulations are looking after the people's best interests in all areas. Know where your water comes from and pay attention to what vulnerabilities are there that may threaten your water resources.
Water rights are an area of concern around the world. Is water a basic right? I firmly believe that access to clean water is a human right and one that needs to be protected. I also believe that the best waterkeeper for your area is you! No one is going to look after your best interests like you will.
Become a water activist!
Read the full article on the Legionella bacteria outbreak from The Columbus Dispatch here: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/19/legionella-bacteria-rhodes-tower.html
From the article by Zack Lemon:
As a result, all hot water faucets and devices have been shut off; hot water tanks and pipes have been drained; and “heavy chlorination” will occur this weekend.
The memo says hot water is expected to be restored by Monday. Until then, liquid hand sanitizers will be provided in restrooms and kitchen areas.
Additional samples will be taken on Monday and sent to a lab for testing, which can take as long as two weeks.
Legionella bacteria are usually harmless, but precautions are necessary as people can develop pneumonia by breathing in droplets. Anyone with medical problems and the elderly are more susceptible to becoming ill. Deaths have been reported during previous outbreaks.
More details on Legionnaire's disease can be found in the full article at the link below.
This incident at the Rhodes Tower follows an alert that was issued for elevated nitrate levels in water in Franklin County, Ohio on June 8th. Although unrelated, the two incidents remind me of how much more attention water news is getting nowadays. My hope is that we all will do more to preserve and protect our water sources by taking steps towards action. This is no time to sit back and think that government regulations are looking after the people's best interests in all areas. Know where your water comes from and pay attention to what vulnerabilities are there that may threaten your water resources.
Water rights are an area of concern around the world. Is water a basic right? I firmly believe that access to clean water is a human right and one that needs to be protected. I also believe that the best waterkeeper for your area is you! No one is going to look after your best interests like you will.
Become a water activist!
Read the full article on the Legionella bacteria outbreak from The Columbus Dispatch here: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/19/legionella-bacteria-rhodes-tower.html
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