ORLANDO, Fla. — A downtown Orlando retirement community’s water has tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease, even after the system was flushed with chlorine.
JoAnn Dyer said she enjoys living at Westminster Towers, but did have concerns when she found out a former resident got the disease from the water.
“I wasn’t sure how it would spread,” she said. “I didn’t know if you could catch it from another person or if you had to catch it from the water.”
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The Department of Health said Westminster’s water is still positive and it recommended remediation.
A spokesman for the community said they did not do a second chlorine flush because the levels are below national guidelines for what’s acceptable.
He said they are working with a water consultant who is an expert in Legionella.
They have a monitoring plan in place and will do follow-up treatments if necessary.
“I think with 19 stories, it would be very careless if they didn’t,” said Dyer. “I just say my prayers every night about being safe and hope that’s covered.”
There have been no other incidents of the disease at Westminster Towers beyond one case reported July 11.
Cox Media Group
