Dangerous bacteria found in newly built senior living apartment complex – WSYX
2025-04-30T22:48:25Z
Clover Glen Apartment Community has 92 units that say it offers independent living for residents. Now, some residents are left in the dark.
It was a $15 million building constructed in the Westland neighborhood for seniors 55 and up. Clover Glen Apartment Community has 92 units that say it offers independent living for residents.
Now, some residents are left in the dark when it comes to transparency from the complex.
Tim Million’s mother moved into the complex and, within a few weeks, became sick. After a birthday trip to Cincinnati, she was rushed to the hospital.
“She wasn’t feeling well,” Tim said. “For her to be wiped out in the hospital for two weeks. Her organs were shutting down as were mine.”
Million and his mother were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.
Columbus Public Health Department says they’re aware of four confirmed legionellosis cases at Clover Glen. The last case was reported in February 2025.
The department is continuing to monitor additional cases, but there have not been any new cases since February.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, Legionella are bacteria that grow naturally in the environment, and especially in warm water.
“It occurs in freshwater lakes and streams. However, the quantities in natural water bodies are generally insufficient to cause disease. Growth of Legionella can occur in building water systems where exposure to aerosols containing the bacteria can cause disease,” said
Columbus Public Health says Clover Glen has been working with an outside consultant on remediation and prevention efforts.
Jedidiah Bressman is an attorney representing some residents from the complex. He tells ABC 6 that he sent the company operating the property a letter telling the complex to keep all records.
“If this has to go to litigation so we can get access to those materials,” said Bressman. “We think the residents have a right to know.”
We reached out to National Church Residences, the group operating the complex. They said recent testing came back showing the water supply free of Legion bacteria.
They emailed ABC 6 a statement:
“Clover Glen Senior Living Community and National Church Residences take the health and safety of residents and staff extremely seriously. Following a legionella concern reported on February 21, 2025, the community took immediate and proactive steps in close coordination with a water quality consultant and the City of Columbus’s Public Health Department to review and address the reported concern. These steps have included:
An onsite visit from the City of Columbus’s Department of Health
Installing filters on outlets to ensure the water is okay for use
Providing residents with information regarding legionella (a naturally occurring bacterium)
Flushing the building’s potable water system with a common water disinfectant.
We remain focused on protecting everyone in the community and will continue to take appropriate action.”
We spoke to other residents at the complex who told us they had no knowledge of the incident prior to moving into the senior apartment building.
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