As part of its investigation into a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in the greater Bangor area, the Maine Center for Disease Control has found detectable levels of the bacteria Legionella in the Orono-Veazie water district.
CDC officials say higher levels of chlorine have been added to the water to address the issue, and that the water remains safe to drink and use.
The agency says it is unclear whether there is a connection between the water district and the six cases of Legionnaires’ disease - an extreme form of pneumonia- that have been reported in recent months.
Legionella bacteria is found naturally in freshwater environments. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made building water systems such as sinks, cooling towers, hot tubs and fountains.
