Westmoreland County has started treating water sources at its nursing home in Hempfield to remove what officials say is the likely presence of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

Preliminary tests revealed earlier this week the likely presence of the Legionella bacteria in water at Westmoreland Manor. Those tests were initiated after a current or former resident was diagnosed with the pneumonia-like illness last week.

“This afternoon, Westmoreland Manor received additional direction from the Department of Health to begin remediation,” county solicitor Melissa Guiddy said Thursday. “Thermal eradication efforts have begun this afternoon and will continue through Friday evening. Upon completion of the remediation, additional testing will be conducted. All precautions will remain in place until further notice.”

County commissioners said cost estimates for the remediation work are still being calculated.

Officials said the county will continue to monitor for confirmed pneumonia cases at the Manor during the testing period and remediation effort.

“We are following the required steps and we’re treating this like there are positive findings so no one is harmed,” Commissioner Gina Cerilli said.

County officials said there is no indication residents or staff at the 400-bed nursing home have been placed in danger. Since Jan. 24, residents and staff have been instructed not to drink the tap water. Residents have been given bottled water to drink and to use for cleaning and hygiene. Nursing staff and other employees were told to provide their own bottled water during the investigation.

The remediation effort involves heating water to kill the bacteria.

Jack Rihs, vice president of Special Pathogens Laboratory, a Pittsburgh company that specializes in testing and remediation for Legionnaires’ disease, said it appears the county has taken all the necessary steps to protect the nursing home residents and staff.

He said it is not uncommon for the Legionella bacteria to be found in larger buildings such as nursing homes and hospitals. Elderly residents, smokers or those with other illnesses are more susceptible to contracting Legionnaires’ disease, Rihs said.

The disease is spread only through the consumption of tainted water or possibly through mist absorbed through the lungs, he said.

“Once water use is restricted, the risks are minuscule,” Rihs said, noting the bacteria cannot be spread from person to person.

County officials said remediation efforts were started even as results of confirmatory tests for the bacteria are still pending.

“We’re trying to be very pro-active about this,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said.

Commissioners said that in the coming days the county will test the water at the county jail, juvenile detention center and forensic center, facilities that are located on the same campus as Westmoreland Manor.

Michael Washowich, executive director of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, which owns and operates Hempfield Towers, located across South Grande Boulevard from the Manor, said water tests at the senior high-rise apartment building also will be conducted.

“Obviously, we are aware of what’s going on and, for the safety of our residents, we will conduct a risk assessment. We have no reported illnesses, but being it was reported at the Manor, we want to be thorough,” Washowich said.

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