Hundreds of water cooling towers throughout New York City have been cited for violations related to Legionella testing since the beginning of 2025, with health inspectors identifying non-compliance in nearly 250 towers. Manhattan accounts for over half of these violations, totaling 160 cooling towers. Brooklyn followed with 44 violations, while the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island reported 22, 19, and one violation, respectively.
These citations stem from instances where Legionella samples were reportedly not collected, not analyzed, or the results were not submitted to the health department, as mandated by law. This situation comes to light following a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases on the Upper East Side, which has sickened more than 63 people and hospitalized 52 this month. A Post analysis revealed that more than half of the cooling towers in the affected outbreak area on the Upper East Side had also been cited for violations within the past year.
A spokesperson for the health department stated that 73% of cooling towers in the Upper East Side investigation area have provided the required information, with a citywide compliance rate of approximately 77%. The department also noted that all cooling towers testing positive for Legionella are undergoing a full inspection. Some towers that failed to submit data may not be in operation or have not yet started their operational season.
Among the recent violations, Midtown East saw 17 cooling towers cited for Legionella testing-related issues, and downtown Brooklyn and Hell's Kitchen each had 14. Four locations—Midtown East, Greenpoint, Washington Heights, and Chelsea—were identified as repeat offenders, receiving more than two citations over the past year.
A law implemented in May mandates that cooling towers report testing results monthly, a shift from the previous 90-day requirement. Fines for non-compliance begin at $500 and can escalate to $2,000 for repeat offenses.
However, members of Plumbers Local 1 argue that current regulations, which are not consistently followed, are insufficient to ensure public safety. The union, representing 6,000 members, is advocating for more comprehensive testing mandates, including within domestic water lines, for larger facilities every three to six months. Paul O'Connor, business manager for UA Plumbers Local 1, stated that cooling towers are downstream from other water systems, suggesting that testing should begin earlier in the water supply chain to prevent outbreaks. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to avert crises before they start.
While the recent Upper East Side outbreak originated from a cooling tower, building water system-related Legionnaires' disease cases still contribute to an estimated 100 illnesses annually in the city.