Legionella Bacteria
As defined by the CDC, Legionella, is a type of bacterium found naturally in freshwater but can become problematic when found in large quantities in human-made building water systems such as: showerheads and sink faucets, cooling towers for air cooling systems, decorative fountains / water fixtures, and large plumbing systems. Legionella can cause a pneumonia-like illness and is spread by inhalation, meaning that the droplets of contaminated water must be small enough to breathe in for there to be a risk of contracting it and is most problematic when found in building heating and cooling systems.
Testing
PSU initiated testing for Legionella bacteria in campus buildings in the summer of 2020. A detectable, but low level, of Legionella was identified in four buildings: Cramer Hall, Lincoln Hall, Shattuck Hall, and Montgomery Residence Hall. All campus cooling towers have also been tested as of June 2020 and no Legionella was detected.
Below are the buildings where this testing has been conducted to date, and whether or not the presence of Legionella was detected. Results will be updated as buildings are tested.
Building Abbreviation | Building Name | Detected 1st Round: 2020 | Detected 2nd Round: 2020** | Detected 1st Round: 2021 | Detected 2nd Round: 2021** |
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AB | Art Building and Annex | No | N/A | No | N/A |
ASRC | Academic and Student Recreation Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
BDWY | Broadway Residence Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
BLKS | Blackstone Residence Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
BLU | Blumel Residence Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
CH | Cramer Hall | Yes* | No | Yes* | No |
CIN | Fifth Avenue Cinema | No | N/A | No | N/A |
COR | Corbett | No | N/A | No | N/A |
CPS | Campus Public Safety | No | N/A | No | N/A |
EB | Engineering Building | No | N/A | No | N/A |
EH | East Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
FAB | Fourth Avenue Building | No | N/A | No | N/A |
FMH | Fariborz Maseeh Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
HAR | Harder House | No | N/A | No | N/A |
HGCDC | Helen Gordon Child Development Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
HOFF | Hoffman Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
HSB | Harrison Street Building | No | N/A | No | N/A |
KMC | Karl Miller Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
KNGA | King Albert Residence Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
LH | Lincoln Hall | Yes* | No | No | N/A |
MONT | Montgomery Residence Hall | Yes* | No | No | N/A |
ML | Millar Library | No | N/A | No | N/A |
NASCC | Native American Student & Community Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
OND | Ondine Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
PKM | Parkmill | No | N/A | No | N/A |
PSC | Peter Stott Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
RGH | Research Green House | No | N/A | No | N/A |
RMNC | Richard and Maurine Neuberger Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
SB1 | Science Building 1 | No | N/A | No | N/A |
SBH | Simon Benson House | | | No | N/A |
SEC | Science and Education Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
SEH | Stephen Epler Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
SH | Shattuck Hall | Yes* | No | No | N/A |
SMSU | Smith Memorial Student Union | No | N/A | No | N/A |
SRTC | Science Research and Teaching Center | No | N/A | No | N/A |
STHL | Saint Helens Residence Hall | No | N/A | No | N/A |
UCB | University Center Building | No | N/A | No | N/A |
UH | University Honors | No | N/A | No | N/A |
UP | University Place Hotel | No | N/A | No | N/A |
URBN | Urban Center Building | No | N/A | No | N/A |
USB | University Services Building | No | N/A | No | N/A |
WHP | West Heating Plant | No | N/A | No | N/A |
*While Legionella in potable water poses less risk than in heating and cooling systems, PSU is following best practices to eliminate the Legionella and retest the water systems to confirm the bacteria is no longer present
**Lines with positive results from first round of testing are decontaminated and retested to confirm the bacteria is no longer present in the system
Flushing and Remediation
PSU incorporates industry best standards and City of Portland recommendations during the pandemic that includes flushing water fixtures in every building every three weeks. The four locations that tested positive have been resolved, including replacing fixtures and/or replacement and upgrades to water heating systems in Cramer and Lincoln Halls. Subsequent testing has shown no detectable levels of Legionella on campus.
As the campus remains mostly vacant to employees and students over the Spring and Summer, FPM plans to continue flushing the water systems to prevent any conditions that would allow for the growth of Legionella. This practice will continue through at least the end of August 2021, or until there is regular occupancy to the building.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Legionella website