Common questions
What does “remediation” mean?
Remediation is the cleanup process that removes the Legionella bacteria from a building's cooling tower. It usually involves shock disinfection (high doses of chlorine or biocide to kill the bacteria), physical cleaning to scrub out biofilm and scale (the slimy buildup where the bacteria grow), flushing the system with clean water, and re-testing to confirm levels are safe. When a tower shows “remediation complete,” the source has been disinfected and removed.
Does “cleaning pending” mean that building has sick people?
No. “Cleaning pending” only means the city ordered that building to remediate its cooling tower and the work wasn't yet confirmed finished (all pending towers were due by Saturday, July 11). It refers to the status of the cleanup, not to anyone's health. Being on the list, whether cleaned or pending, means the tower tested positive, not that residents are ill.
So do the flagged buildings tell me where the cases are?
No. The 31 buildings are cooling towers that tested positive for the bacteria. The 46 cases are people who became sick somewhere in the outbreak area. The Health Department does not publicly connect specific patients to specific buildings, both for privacy and because the mist from a tower can drift, so officials often can't pinpoint which tower made a given person sick. A building on the map is a positive tower, not a count of sick residents.
My building is on the list. Should I move out or stop using water?
No. The bacteria live in the building's rooftop cooling tower, not in your tap or shower. Drinking water, showering, and AC are all safe. Once a tower is disinfected, the source is removed. Watch for symptoms and see a doctor promptly if they appear.
What's the difference between "cleaned" and "pending"?
"Cleaned" means the cooling tower has already been disinfected, 19 towers. "Pending" means the city ordered the building to remediate, and all remaining towers were due to be cleaned by Saturday, July 11, 2026, 12 towers.
How does Legionnaires' actually spread?
By inhaling tiny water droplets that contain the bacteria, often from cooling towers that release vapor into the air. It does not spread from person to person, and you cannot catch it by drinking water.
Who is most at risk?
People over 50, current or former smokers, and those with chronic lung conditions or weakened immune systems are more likely to develop serious illness. Most healthy people exposed do not get sick.
What should I do if I feel sick?
If you have fever, cough, or trouble breathing, contact a healthcare provider right away and tell them about the Upper East Side outbreak. Legionnaires' is treatable with antibiotics, and early treatment improves outcomes.