# A Sensible New Yorker's Guide to Legionella Season
New York City faces another legionella outbreak cycle as warm weather arrives and cooling systems activate across the city. The bacteria thrives in stagnant water inside air conditioning units, cooling towers, and plumbing systems that have sat dormant through winter.
The immediate facts. Legionella causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe pneumonia-like illness. It spreads through inhalation of contaminated water droplets, not through drinking tap water. NYC's Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health monitor water systems closely, and the city's water supply remains safe to consume directly from the tap.
The practical precautions differ by location. Buildings with aging infrastructure or poorly maintained cooling systems pose higher risk. The Met and other large public buildings with extensive HVAC systems warrant extra caution during peak exposure months. Walking past the Met or similar venues does not guarantee infection, but people with compromised immune systems, smokers, and those over 50 face elevated risk.
For New Yorkers in residential buildings, landlords hold responsibility for maintaining water systems and cooling towers to code. Tenants should report stagnant water, discolored water, or visible buildup in air conditioning units to building management immediately. Request documentation that cooling towers undergo required flushing and disinfection.
Commercial tenants and office workers should verify their buildings comply with Local Law 77, which mandates legionella testing for cooling towers over 400 tons. Noncompliance carries significant fines and liability.
Symptoms appear within 2 to 10 days of exposure and include high fever, cough, fatigue, and muscle aches. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop, particularly after visiting large buildings with extensive cooling systems. Early antibiotics are effective when diagnosed promptly.
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