REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — One hundred residents living inside a Reynoldsburg senior apartment complex are being warned not to drink the tap water or shower after five neighbors have been diagnosed with Legionnaries’ disease within the past year.
“My concern is my mother’s health,” said Damon Elizondo, as he delivered bottled water to his mother who lives in the Seton Square Senior Apartments.
“I want to get her out if she is a risk.”
“We are still in the preliminary testing procedures,” said Amanda Jeffries, with BRC Properties. "As soon as it’s identified, we will let residents know where the source is. It's still under investigation.”
Franklin County Health and Infectious disease officials met with residents Monday afternoon, briefing them on the Legionella bacteria that has been found in the building’s portable water system, which can lead to pneumonia-like symptoms.
“That's part of the mystery. [I'm] not sure how Legionella can get into the water supply,” said Charlie Broshart, Franklin County Environmental Health Manager.
Five cases of Legionnaries’ Disease have been discovered in the apartment building since April 2016. Health Officials said they have been watching the water supply closely since a fourth case was confirmed in January.
Neighbors , like Peggy Howard, said she learned about the bacteria a few weeks later.
“We’ve known since February there was an issue,” said Howard. “I am not concerned at all. I know they are doing what they can do. I am waiting for the day they say everything is clean.”
Health officials said high levels of chlorine are now being pumped into the water supply to kill the bacteria. After the system is flushed, testing will be done in a few days to determine if the water is safe.
SOURCE:http://abc6onyourside.com
