It began with an email late Sunday night. By Monday morning, employees walking into 26 Federal Plaza were greeted by stark notices at both visitor and staff entrances: “Legionella has been detected in the drinking water system — normal use may continue.” For many of the building’s workers, this was their first clue that something was amiss. Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, had been found in 81 locations throughout the building, according to internal documents obtained by The City.
The 41-story skyscraper, a cornerstone of federal operations in Lower Manhattan, houses offices for agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, alongside immigration courts. The General Services Administration (GSA), the agency responsible for the building’s maintenance, conducted water tests between August 23 and 25. They revealed Legionella had infiltrated various spaces, including kitchens, locker rooms, and even daycare sinks. Elevated levels of copper and lead were also discovered in specific locations.
While the presence of the bacteria was alarming, many employees were left in the dark. One worker, based on the eighth floor, only learned about the issue when a cleaner showed him a photo of the posted warning. “One of our contractors came up to me and said, ‘Do you know anything about this?’” he recounted. Frustrated by the lack of communication, he added, “I’m drinking water that I brought!”
Surprisingly, over a dozen employees interviewed outside the building were unaware of the situation, despite the signs prominently posted at the entrance. Their confusion underscored a broader issue: inconsistent communication about health risks in a building serving hundreds of federal employees and visitors daily.
Experts, however, urged calm. Dr. Waleed Javaid, an infection prevention specialist at Mount Sinai, pointed out that the mere presence of Legionella does not necessarily mean an outbreak is imminent. “If they’ve been exposed, the exposure itself wouldn’t really cause them to get Legionnaires’ unless the Legionella bacteria gets into their lungs, or if they have some preexisting condition,” he said. He reassured that most healthy people are unlikely to fall ill, though the risk isn’t zero. Still, he advised those concerned to contact their healthcare providers, especially if symptoms like pneumonia develop.
The GSA moved quickly to address the issue, implementing measures such as flushing water systems, evaluating equipment, and adjusting water temperatures. A spokesperson confirmed that there are currently “no known active public health case investigations” tied to the building’s water supply. This isn’t the first time the GSA has faced such challenges, though. A memo from September last year revealed that Legionella had been detected in six GSA-controlled buildings nationwide, with the agency struggling to manage water contamination effectively.
The issue of Legionella isn’t isolated to federal buildings. In New York City, clusters of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in public housing developments, and just last week, three people died amid an outbreak at an Albany assisted living home. Legionella thrives in stagnant water and warm environments, making large, under-occupied buildings particularly vulnerable. Although rare, the bacteria can become deadly if inhaled through water droplets, such as from showers or cooling systems.
Despite the risks, officials remain vigilant but optimistic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that most healthy individuals exposed to Legionella do not fall ill. However, those with preexisting conditions—particularly the elderly, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems—are at greater risk.
