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Some of the top ten drinking water contaminants have changed over the years but Legionella remains the number one contaminant in drinking water.
Updated by the CDC on August 6, 2025 — Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Certain people are at increased risk for this infection.
According to the CDC and many other health organizations, Legionella is widely considered the leading cause of waterborne disease outbreaks, making it number one on the new list of top 5 causes of outbreaks related to water systems. Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever outbreaks occur when two or more people are exposed to Legionella in the same place and get sick at about the same time. People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain Legionella.
Since 1997 Ron Perrin Water Technologies, Inc. has been a leader in the inspection and cleaning of water storage tanks and towers. Our inspection methods cover all state-required inspection points. We also include a video produced by an underwater camera and lighting system that is able to see the interior floor of your facilities to determine sediment levels. We do all of this with no disruption in service and no water loss.
Outbreaks are commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems like hotels and resorts, long-term care facilities,
hospitals, and cruise ships. The most likely sources of infection include water used for showering, hot tubs, decorative fountains, and cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of a centralized air cooling system for a building or industrial processes).
On August 20, 2025, USA Today reported: “The death toll in New York City's Legionnaires’ disease outbreak has risen to five with more than 100 cases confirmed across five ZIP codes in Central Harlem, local health officials announced”.
Since the outbreak began on July 25, the New York City Health Department has reported that the outbreak occurred in Central Harlem, a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. The latest death was reported on August. 18th, after health officials concluded that a person with the disease who died before mid-August was associated with the Central Harlem cluster. An estimated 56,000 to 113,000 people are infected with the Legionella Bacteria every year.
Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever outbreaks can be difficult to identify. Sometimes people travel to a common location, are exposed to Legionella, and then return home before becoming sick. State, territorial, and local health departments take the lead in investigating outbreaks. They also identify control measures to remove Legionella from the water identified as the source of infection. CDC is only involved in outbreak investigations when a health department requests additional assistance. State, territorial, and local health departments are the best source of information for a specific outbreak. Click here to download the EPA Legionella Drinking water fact sheet: FACT SHEET
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list Legionella as #1 of the top five Causes of outbreaks in public water systems.
The best way to ensure that Legionella or other contaminants will not invade your tank sediment is to remove it. Clean your water storage tanks then maintain them by getting them on a cleaning schedule.
Keep your tanks clean and your water system safe.
For an inspection or cleaning quote, contact:
Robert at perrinsales@gmail.com or call toll-free 888-481-1768, or local 817-377-4899.
Let's CLEAN YOUR TANKS THIS YEAR!
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