Legionella Bacteria Found In Over 50% Of Tested TWW-Served Homes: DOH

TRENTON, NJ - Water sampled from more than half of 30 homes served by Trenton Water Works tested positive for Legionnaires Disease-causing Legionella bacteria, officials said Saturday.

The positive tests came from homes in Trenton and Ewing, as well as parts of Lawrence and Hopewell Township, the state Department of Health said. All the homes tested are served by Trenton Water Works, the Trenton-based public water utility now under state oversight after several Mercer County towns implored the state to take over due to TWW’s failure to comply with safe drinking water obligations.

The state takeover was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday following TWW’s reported struggles to maintain critical water treatment processes, monitor water quality, employ trained operating personnel and invest in required maintenance. Read more: 'Delighted' By State Oversight Of Trenton Water: Lawrence Officials

“On behalf of the TWW customers that reside in Lawrence Township, we are delighted with the Governor’s decision to intercede and empower the NJDEP to directly oversee the water utility operations and monitoring,” Mayor John Ryan and Lawrence Township Councilmembers told Patch in a statement last week.

Trenton Water Works supplies around 29 million gallons of drinking water daily to more than 200,000 residents in Lawrence, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Trenton.

In August, four cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in Hamilton. Of the four, one person had died. Another case was reported to the state Department of Health in September, the DOH said. More: 4 Cases Of Legionnaires' Disease Reported In Mercer County

“It is not known if individuals with Legionella detected in their homes are more likely to develop Legionnaires’ disease,” the DOH said in a statement. “While it remains rare for a healthy person who is exposed to Legionella to become sick with Legionnaires’ disease, people who are 50 years or older, especially those who smoke, or those with certain medical conditions, including weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or other chronic health conditions, are at increased risk.”

Following the most recent string of positive testing, the DOH is now urging all residents and building owners who receive water from TWW to take precautions to reduce the risk of Legionella growth, including conducting routine flushing, maintaining hot tubs and removing “dead legs” in plumbing.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. The disease can be fatal but is treatable with antibiotics.

Those who believe they have symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease contact their health care provider and seek medical evaluation immediately.