NYC Health Department Orders 10 Cooling Towers Cleaned and Disinfected as South Bronx Legionnaires Investigation Continues
Preliminary Testing Finds Legionella Bacteria in 10 Cooling Towers All Have Been Ordered to be Cleaned and Disinfected by September 14 as Additional Testing Continues
Anyone Who Lives, Works, or Has Visited the Affected Area Since Late August and Develops Flu-Like Symptoms Should Contact a Health Care Provider Immediately
It is Safe to Shower, Drink Tap Water, and Use Air Conditioners in the Affected Zip Codes Unless Otherwise Advised; There is no Additional Risk from Being Inside Any of the 10 Buildings
Health Department to Hold Virtual Town Hall Sunday at 3 p.m. and In-Person Town Hall Tuesday at 6 p.m.
September 13, 2026 — Today, the New York City Health Department ordered 10 cooling towers in the South Bronx to be cleaned and disinfected as the City continues its investigation into a community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease.
All 10 cooling towers are located in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 and are required to complete remediation by September 14.
The Health Department sampled all cooling towers for this investigation by September 10, within 12 hours of identifying the cluster. Preliminary PCR testing was completed by September 12, and orders to clean and disinfect the 10 cooling towers were issued the same day.
The 10 cooling towers tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria through an initial PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. This test can detect the presence of Legionella bacteria DNA but cannot determine whether the bacteria are alive or dead and does not confirm that a cooling tower is the source of exposure. Only live Legionella bacteria can cause illness.
The Health Department is also conducting culture testing to determine whether live Legionella bacteria were present when the samples were collected. Culture results can take up to two weeks.
To reduce the risk of ongoing exposure while culture testing continues, the Health Department is requiring cooling towers with a positive PCR result to conduct a full remediation, including draining, cleaning, and disinfection.
The 10 cooling towers with positive PCR results are located at:
- 820 Concourse Village West
- 234 E. 149th St.
- 1 E. 161st St.
- 470 E. 161st St.
- 1265 Franklin Ave.
- 567 Melrose Ave.
- 3339 Park Ave.
- 1160 Teller Ave.
- 890 Washington Ave.
- 1085 Washington Ave.
Eight of the 10 cooling towers that tested positive by PCR are compliant with the 31-day testing requirement that took effect on May 8. The cooling towers at 820 Concourse Village West and 1265 Franklin Ave. did not provide testing information as required.
The Health Department has tested 24 cooling towers as part of this investigation. The department has completed all annual inspections in 2025 and are on schedule to complete annual inspections for 2026. The Health Department will inspect any cooling tower that tests positive during this investigation to review their compliance with local laws and regulations.
Citywide, 82% of cooling tower systems are in compliance with the monthly testing requirement. Since May 8, the Health Department has conducted more than 900 cooling tower inspections and, as of September 5, more than $111,000 in fines have been paid.
The South Bronx Investigation
On September 10, the Health Department immediately launched an investigation after identifying a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Melrose and Morrisania, which are part of ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
Anyone who lives, works, or has visited the area since late August and develops flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately.
Beginning September 11, Health Department community health workers began canvassing the affected neighborhoods. To date, the Health Department has engaged over 400 community members, 46 organizations, attended six community events, and distributed over 1,100 Legionnaires' disease flyers and palm cards. Public health information and guidance on Legionnaires’ disease is also being disseminated through social media, in the press, LinkNYC kiosks, radio stations, NotifyNYC, and in coordination with local elected officials and community leaders.
Additional community engagement is planned in the coming days. The Health Department will host a virtual Town Hall at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 13, and an in-person Town Hall at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 15 at Metropolitan College in the Bronx.
As of September 12, nine people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in connection with the cluster. Three people are currently hospitalized, four have been discharged and one person did not require hospitalization. One person has died.
About Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which naturally occur in water. People develop Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in mist containing live Legionella bacteria. The disease is not spread from person to person.
Symptoms typically develop two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath and cough. Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early.
Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not become sick. People at an increased risk include adults age 50 and older, people who smoke or vape, people with chronic lung disease, people with weakened immune systems and people taking medications that suppress the immune system.
Cooling towers, which release water mist into the outside air, have been identified as the source of previous community clusters of Legionnaires’ disease. It remains safe to use air conditioners and cooling centers in the affected ZIP codes.
It is also safe to shower and drink tap water. There is no additional risk from being inside any of the 10 buildings with cooling towers that tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: PressOffice@health.nyc.gov