ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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Eastern Niagara Hospital has released a statement regarding the water issue at the Lockport site.

According to the release, the water is being chlorinated in response to a potential Legionella case. Numerous reports on social media had stated that people within the hospital had contracted Legionnaire's disease, which the hospital refutes.

Asked of the source of the bacteria, hospital spokesperson Carolyn Moore said, "Legionella bacteria is found in many places. Patients are sometimes admitted with it and it is very difficult to determine the origin."

She said the hospital is still still admitting patients and that the chlorination process will end in a few hours.

"I am not sure how long before we go back to regular water, but it will not be too long," she added.

The full release follows:

Eastern Niagara Hospital is chlorinating its water system. It is doing so in response to a potential Legionella case.

There is no outbreak of Legionella. Legionella is a common form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria which lives naturally in water and moist soil. It is not transmitted from person to person.

The Hospital is currently undergoing a hyper-chlorination treatment process in order to ensure that any contaminants and bacteria are eliminated. While this precautionary process is taking place, tap water has been restricted in all areas. Patients, staff and visitors are being supplied with bottled water.

Hospitals often need to address this issue and, in fact, hospitals east of WNY have recently seen evidence of increased need to undertake precautions.

The public should be assured that there is no outbreak of Legionella and that the Hospital is acting expeditiously to assure the highest levels of water purity.

In a followup statement, Daniel J. Stapleton, public health director for Niagara County said, “We take these precautions seriously. The safety of patients, visitors and staff is of paramount importance. We are working together to ensure that. I am most appreciative of the precautionary steps that Eastern Niagara Hospital has taken.”

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