Legionella bacteria shuts down water at University of Windsor again

The University of Windsor is shutting off water taps in a number of buildings after a yearly water test showed there was legionellabacteria in the system.

The affected buildings are:

• Chrysler Hall Tower
• Lambton Tower
• Essex Hall
• Vanier Hall
• Leddy Library West
• Leonard and Dorothy Neal Education Building

No student residencesare affected, according to a spokesperson for the Universityof Windsor.

'Immediate and preventative steps'

The test is part of an ongoing preventative maintenance programthat checks hot water systems.

"Immediate and preventative steps have been taken to eliminate any possible risk to occupants," according to the statement from the spokesperson.

The water was shut off in for six days inApril2017 when tests showedlegionellabacteria was present in the system.

• Legionella bacteria shuts down hot water at U of Windsor

That bacteria can leadto legionnaires'disease, which is a bacterial pneumonia that is often spread through valves that contain humidity and vapour, like air conditioners.

Symptoms of legionnaires'disease can include pneumonia, fever, cough, muscle pain and headache, according to the Public HealthAgency of Canada.

"We are taking every precaution reasonable and anticipate services to be restored as soon as the matter is resolved," reads the statement.