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Oakland County does not have a routine water-testing program for its 45 buildings where 5,300 employees work.

County officials are developing such a plan after a custodian who worked in the sheriff’s administration building was diagnosed with Legionnaire’s disease, a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. County officials have not disclosed details about the custodian other than the diagnosis.

The bacteria develops in standing water within plumbing or in the ground and can sicken people using drinking fountains, showers and faucets. People who inhale the mist-borne bacteria can become ill, but the disease is not contagious.

Twelve faucets at the sheriff’s administration building were tested by state officials and six were positive

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