Oakland County Facilities Management, in coordination with the Oakland County Health Division, Risk Management and external water safety consultants, continues to take proactive steps to prevent and remediate the presence of legionella bacteria in select county facilities. All actions are guided by best practices and recommendations from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Based on the investigative findings, the county’s initial response has focused on two buildings: the Sheriff’s Administration Building and the Courthouse Tower. The Courthouse Tower operates on a closed-loop internal water system that is fully separate from the East and West Wings of the courthouse complex.
Actions taken to date include:
—Courthouse Tower:
• Ongoing system-wide flushing of the water system
• Installation of point-of-use filters on all fixtures, including those without positive test results
• Sampling and adjusting for proper water temperatures and monitoring chlorine levels
• Ongoing testing as part of the current investigation
Based on the age of the Courthouse Tower’s plumbing infrastructure, the water consultant recommended no hyperchlorination in that building.
Out of an abundance of caution, Facilities Management has also flushed water systems in the Courthouse East Wing, Courthouse West Wing, Courthouse West Wing Extension, Board of Commissioners offices and other county buildings east of Telegraph Road.
—Sheriff’s Administration Building:
• Hyperchlorination of the building’s water system
• Ongoing system-wide flushing
• Installation of point-of-use filters on all fixtures, including those without positive test results
• Sampling and adjusting for proper water temperatures and monitoring chlorine levels
• Ongoing testing in accordance with CDC and state health guidance
Oakland County is implementing a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to water safety that includes:
• Continued preventive maintenance, including:
- Monitoring water heater temperatures
- Flushing fire hydrants to increase water movement
- Monitoring boilers and cooling towers for proper chemical treatment
- Draining and professionally cleaning cooling equipment at the end of each cooling season
• Continued testing at the Sheriff’s Administration Building and Courthouse Tower
• Ongoing monitoring of water temperature and chlorine levels in the Courthouse Tower, East Wing, West Wing and Main Jail
• Weekly flushing of water systems in all county buildings on campus beginning Jan. 12, 2026
• Development of formal water management plans for priority facilities, followed by a long-term water management plan for all county-owned buildings
The risk of legionella infection during routine daily activities such as handwashing and restroom use is considered very low. Individuals with compromised immune systems or other risk factors may take additional precautions. N-95 masks are available for county employees and the public upon request.
Additional information about legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease is available through the Oakland County Health Division ‘s Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533 or by emailing OCHelpline@OakGov.com. A public health nurse or community health worker is available to answer questions 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Based on the investigative findings, the county’s initial response has focused on two buildings: the Sheriff’s Administration Building and the Courthouse Tower. The Courthouse Tower operates on a closed-loop internal water system that is fully separate from the East and West Wings of the courthouse complex.
Actions taken to date include:
—Courthouse Tower:
• Ongoing system-wide flushing of the water system
• Installation of point-of-use filters on all fixtures, including those without positive test results
• Sampling and adjusting for proper water temperatures and monitoring chlorine levels
• Ongoing testing as part of the current investigation
Based on the age of the Courthouse Tower’s plumbing infrastructure, the water consultant recommended no hyperchlorination in that building.
Out of an abundance of caution, Facilities Management has also flushed water systems in the Courthouse East Wing, Courthouse West Wing, Courthouse West Wing Extension, Board of Commissioners offices and other county buildings east of Telegraph Road.
—Sheriff’s Administration Building:
• Hyperchlorination of the building’s water system
• Ongoing system-wide flushing
• Installation of point-of-use filters on all fixtures, including those without positive test results
• Sampling and adjusting for proper water temperatures and monitoring chlorine levels
• Ongoing testing in accordance with CDC and state health guidance
Oakland County is implementing a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to water safety that includes:
• Continued preventive maintenance, including:
- Monitoring water heater temperatures
- Flushing fire hydrants to increase water movement
- Monitoring boilers and cooling towers for proper chemical treatment
- Draining and professionally cleaning cooling equipment at the end of each cooling season
• Continued testing at the Sheriff’s Administration Building and Courthouse Tower
• Ongoing monitoring of water temperature and chlorine levels in the Courthouse Tower, East Wing, West Wing and Main Jail
• Weekly flushing of water systems in all county buildings on campus beginning Jan. 12, 2026
• Development of formal water management plans for priority facilities, followed by a long-term water management plan for all county-owned buildings
The risk of legionella infection during routine daily activities such as handwashing and restroom use is considered very low. Individuals with compromised immune systems or other risk factors may take additional precautions. N-95 masks are available for county employees and the public upon request.
Additional information about legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease is available through the Oakland County Health Division ‘s Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533 or by emailing OCHelpline@OakGov.com. A public health nurse or community health worker is available to answer questions 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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