Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After two deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreaks this summer on the Upper East Side and in the Bronx, New York City lawmakers are considering a new requirement that would alert health officials to potentially dangerous bacteria in cooling towers much earlier.
The bill, set for a hearing before the City Council's health committee Monday, would lower the level of Legionella bacteria at which building owners must report test results to the city's health department.
Current city rules require building owners to take increasingly aggressive steps to address Legionella as bacteria levels rise. At 10 colony-forming units per milliliter, or CFU/mL, owners must begin disinfection within 24 hours and retest the water within three to seven days. But they are only required to notify the health department when levels reach 1,000 CFU/mL.
The new bill would lower that reporting threshold to 10 CFU/mL, requiring building owners to notify the department within 24 hours of learning of the results.
"We're trying to find ways to lower the opportunity for there to be outbreaks like we experienced this summer and last summer, and this is a tool in the toolbox," said Councilmember Lynn Schulman, who chairs the health committee and is the bill's main sponsor.
The bill does not change the existing requirements for cleaning and disinfecting cooling towers at different bacteria levels. Under current rules, a reading of 1,000 CFU/mL or higher triggers additional measures, including a requirement to fully clean and disinfect the tower within 48 hours.
Schulman said she expects further negotiations and potential changes to the legislation after Monday's hearing.
The proposal comes months after a law requiring more frequent cooling tower testing took effect in May. That measure requires building owners to test their towers every 31 days, rather than every three months, to help detect Legionella sooner.
Tagged
Health and Science
Politics
new york city
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .