Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by bacteria called Legionella.  In nature, Legionella live in fresh water and rarely cause illness.  In man-made settings, Legionella can grow if water is not properly maintained.  These man-made water sources become a health problem when small droplets of water that contain the bacteria get into the air and people breath them.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considered adding Legionella to the list of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring for drinking water systems.  After further study they determined that the Legionella bacteria was found to be problematic in large or complex plumbing systems within buildings, not in the water system providing water to the building. 

Legionnaires’ Disease:

•  If you develop pneumonia symptoms and may have been exposed to Legionella, see a doctor right away.  Be sure to mention if you have used a hot tub, spent any nights away from home, or stayed in a hospital in the last two weeks.
• Signs and symptoms can include: cough, muscle aches, high fever, shortness of breath and headache
• Legionnaire’s Disease is serious, but it can be treated with antibiotics.  Most people who get sick need care in a hospital but make a full recovery.
• Most healthy people do not get Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to Legionella.  Being 50 years or older or having certain risk factors can increase you changes of getting sick.  The risk factors include:  being a current or former smoker, having a chronic lung disease, having a weakened immune system from diseases like cancer, diabetes, or kidney failure, or taking medication that weakens your immune system.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website  is a good source of more information on Legionnaire's Disease as well as the Chelan Douglas Health District website.