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Marshalltown businesses slow to clean cooling towers amid Legionella outbreak, official says

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 22:43 GMT by KCCI Des Moines
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Marshalltown Businesses Slow to Clean Cooling Towers Amid Legionella Outbreak, Officials Say

A growing cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Marshalltown, Iowa, has exposed a worrying lag in the maintenance of cooling towers across the city’s commercial and public buildings. Health officials report that many businesses and institutions have not yet cleaned or disinfected their cooling systems, a lapse that could prolong the spread of the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

The Outbreak in Numbers

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed ten laboratory‑confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Marshalltown since early August. The patients range in age from 36 to 78, and the illnesses have required hospitalization for several. All ten cases have been linked to the same strain of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, suggesting a common source rather than random, isolated infections.

Dr. Karen M. Ransom, the state’s Chief Medical Officer, said the cluster is “alarming but not unprecedented.” She cited a 2014 outbreak in the nearby city of Cedar Rapids that resulted in 11 deaths—“Legionella can be deadly if not tackled quickly.”

Where the Bacteria Lives

Legionella thrives in warm, stagnant water. It can grow in water‑treatment systems, including cooling towers, potable water tanks, and hot‑water tanks. When aerosolized by the cooling tower’s fan, the bacteria can be inhaled, causing severe pneumonia.

Cooling towers are especially vulnerable because they rely on water that is constantly evaporating and condensing. If the water isn’t regularly disinfected, the bacteria can multiply. The IDPH’s investigation pinpointed a handful of high‑risk sites in the city—a hotel, a medical office building, a manufacturing plant, and a school—all of which have cooling towers that had not been cleaned for several months.

Business Response: A Mixed Picture

The city’s official response has been uneven. Some owners have already begun cleaning their towers, citing the CDC’s recommended “hot‑wash” method that involves heating water to 140°F for at least 30 minutes, followed by chemical disinfection. Others, however, have expressed uncertainty about the procedures, citing cost concerns and lack of clear guidelines.

One hotel’s property manager, Lisa Henderson, told reporters that the tower had been “inoperational for a week,” but she would not disclose the reason. She later clarified that the hotel had been closed for renovations and had not yet resumed full operations. Nonetheless, the building’s cooling tower remains a potential source of infection.

A manufacturing plant, Precision Parts Inc., denied that the tower was still contaminated. Plant manager James Patel said the facility had “cleaned and disinfected the tower a month ago.” Yet, a plant worker who was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease was working there on the day of his illness, raising questions about the adequacy of the cleaning.

Official Guidance and the Role of the IDPH

The IDPH has issued a “notice of concern” to all commercial and public buildings that use cooling towers. The notice urges owners to:

1. Conduct a comprehensive inspection of all cooling towers.
2. Follow CDC’s recommended cleaning protocol: heat water to 140°F for at least 30 minutes and then add chlorine or a chlorine‑based disinfectant.
3. Implement a regular maintenance schedule—ideally every six months.
4. Provide written documentation of cleaning activities for future audits.

In a statement released Tuesday, Dr. Ransom said that the department is working “in partnership with local health officials and water‑system experts” to ensure the cooling towers are cleaned promptly. She added that the department is “offering technical assistance” to businesses that need help designing a maintenance plan.

The state’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) is also involved. OEHS officials have begun on‑site inspections to verify that cooling towers have been properly cleaned. “We’re not only checking compliance,” said OEHS Inspector Daniel Suarez; “We’re also offering guidance to help facilities implement best practices.”

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

Legionnaires’ disease is a rare but serious illness that can be fatal. According to the CDC, the annual national average in the United States is about 5.4 cases per 100,000 people. In Iowa, the average is similar. When a cluster emerges, it indicates that the bacteria is thriving in a shared environment.

The Marsh‑Alston Health Center, which treats patients with severe pneumonia, reported that two of its new admissions within the past week had tested positive for Legionella. One of those patients had recently visited the downtown hotel. “The pattern is consistent with a localized source,” said Dr. Emily Chen, the center’s chief infectious disease specialist.

The situation also highlights a broader public‑health challenge: many commercial and institutional buildings may be unaware of their vulnerability. The CDC’s “Legionella Risk Assessment” tool, available on the agency’s website, is a useful resource for facility managers to identify and mitigate potential sources.

Next Steps

1. Immediate Action – Building owners must complete a cleaning protocol and submit documentation to the IDPH within 72 hours.
2. Ongoing Surveillance – The state will continue to monitor for new cases and will publish a weekly update on the status of the outbreak.
3. Public Education – The IDPH is launching a public‑service announcement (PSA) campaign to inform residents about the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease and when to seek medical care.
4. Regulatory Review – Iowa’s legislative body is slated to review water‑system regulations in the coming months, with a focus on cooling tower maintenance requirements.

For residents who have experienced severe respiratory symptoms—such as cough, shortness of breath, fever, and chest pain—prompt medical evaluation is critical. The CDC’s quick‑test kits are now available for local health clinics.

Conclusion

The Marshalltown Legionella outbreak underscores a simple yet vital truth: clean cooling towers are not just a maintenance checklist item—they are a cornerstone of public health safety. While some businesses have taken swift action, the lagging response among others threatens to extend the outbreak. By combining rigorous inspection, adherence to CDC guidelines, and community awareness, public health officials hope to contain the spread and prevent future incidents.

Residents can learn more about Legionnaires’ disease, prevention strategies, and the CDC’s guidelines by visiting the CDC’s official website at www.cdc.gov/legionella. For real‑time updates on the Marshalltown outbreak, follow the IDPH’s updates on their website or on Twitter @IDPH_Iowa.