Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On May 20, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 issued an emergency order under the Safe Drinking Water Act to the City of Humboldt, Nebraska, concerning drinking water at the Colonial Acres of Humboldt Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility.
The facility is experiencing an ongoing Legionella bacterial outbreak in its water system, resulting in related illnesses and fatalities, with the most recent fatality occurring in March 2024. Legionella has not been found in Humboldt’s Public Water System outside of Colonial Acres. This order addresses disinfection of water utilized at Colonial Acres and does not require any action by Humboldt residents.
Legionella bacteria can cause sickness and death through two forms of Legionellosis: Pontiac fever and the more severe Legionnaires’ disease. People in assisted living facilities are at increased risk for contracting Legionellosis and experiencing higher morbidity rates once contracted.
The emergency drinking water order mandates that the City of Humboldt:
- Issue a public notice regarding the potential presence and risk of exposure to Legionella at Colonial Acres.
- Implement mitigation measures at Colonial Acres to protect against the risk of Legionella and provide a description of the steps taken to EPA.
- Install a disinfection treatment system at Colonial Acres sufficient to control Legionella contamination.
In fall 2022, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) began working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to address the contamination. Prior efforts by DHHS since 2020 included advising Colonial Acres to revise their comprehensive Water Management Plan with ongoing monitoring; flushing; point-of-use filtration devices; increased water temperature; bottled water use; temporary shock chlorination; and other measures to mitigate Legionella risks.
Despite these efforts, samples collected in March 2024 showed the presence of Legionella throughout Colonial Acres' water system. There is currently no routine disinfection treatment at the facility.
Following EPA Region 7’s enforcement action, on May 21, 2024, the Humboldt City Council approved actions to procure equipment for installing a water disinfection system at Colonial Acres. The city must coordinate with NDEE to ensure compliance with state specifications.
EPA Region 7 will continue immediate work with the City of Humboldt, NDEE, and DHHS to resolve ongoing contamination issues at Colonial Acres.
Colonial Acres is owned by the City of Humboldt, which provides its water supply and service connections. The facility has a 49-bed long-term care unit and 16 assisted living apartments. It also offers various therapies including physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy.
Legionella bacteria can adversely impact public health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease annually in the U.S. The bacteria naturally occur worldwide in aquatic environments but can be transported from water to air via faucets, shower heads, cooling towers, HVAC systems, and nebulizers.
In March 2001, EPA issued a Drinking Water Health Advisory for Legionella providing technical assistance but not enforceable federal standards.
For further information on drinking water quality or treatment technologies:
- EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791
- Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy: 402-471-2186 or ndee.moreinfo@nebraska.gov
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: 402-471-3121
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