Monthly Testing Services

THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL`S OFFICE will resume monthly testing of the water in the Capitol mechanical system`s cooling towers to check levels of a bacteria that causes Legionnaire`s disease. The action is in response to an April 22 citation from the congressional Office of Compliance for exposing mechanical plant workers to legionella pneumophila. Last August ``high concentrations`` of legionella were detected in the Capitol utility plant`s west cooling towers. The architect`s office was also told by the compliance office, which enforces occupational safety and health laws on Capitol Hill, that the east tower`s two older wooden units ``were in very poor condition and, until replaced, required intensive maintenance.`` Compliance officials also said that both east and west towers should be ``tested at least monthly`` for legionella unless drained of water.