Official Statement from Sachem Central School District:
In response to the recent outbreak of Legionellosis in the Bronx and in an effort to prevent the spread of Legionella bacteria, the New York State Department of Health issued emergency regulations requiring the registration, testing, inspection and certification of all cooling towers in New York State. As required, Sachem Central School District registered, inspected and tested its cooling towers at the Seneca, Sequoya and East Schools.
The results of the samples collected from the cooling towers revealed a positive presence of the Legionella bacteria. Upon receipt of the sampling results of all three (3) cooling towers were immediately brought off line, and in accordance with the emergency regulation protocols, an online disinfection and decontamination will be scheduled immediately. Subsequent to the online disinfection and decontamination follow up monitoring will be performed, which includes retesting.
It is important to note that the water inside a cooling tower are part of a closed loop system and that does not mix or interact with the building’s sanitary or potable water supply. Also there have been no reports of Legionnaires disease from any faculty, staff, students or visitors from any of our facilities.
The district will continue to ensure our facilities are safe and continue to be a healthy place in which to work and learn.