OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Officials released an update Tuesday after testing revealed the presence of Legionella in the Oakland County courthouse.
On Friday, December 26, 2025, the Sixth Circuit Court and the Oakland County Probate Court were notified that four areas inside the courthouse had tested positive for strains of the bacteria, according to a release.
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The county tested water in 11 locations inside the courthouse, and Legionella was found in two men’s bathrooms and two sinks in the cafeteria at the courthouse located at 1200 North Telegraph in Pontiac.
This comes after someone, who isn’t a county employee, tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease in April, and listed the courthouse as one of the places they had visited during their exposure period, according to the county release from Friday.
In response, court leaders coordinated with internal and external partners to allow for access to the courts while protecting the health and well-being of everyone who visits the courthouse.
The county began installing medical-grade water filters throughout the building. This process started on Friday and will continue throughout the week.
All public restrooms have filters installed, officials announced Tuesday. If there are dual sinks, some have a filtered sink, with the other secondary sinks out of service.
Restrooms in restricted areas are scheduled to receive filters by the end of the day on Tuesday.
All public drinking fountains have also been taken out of service. Crews have also flushed the entire courthouse water system.
Working alongside its water consultant, HOH, the county is conducting a second round of water sampling, with additional testing planned through April 2026 in line with local, state, and federal health guidelines, according to the release.
Court and county officials said they will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
Following guidance from the Oakland County Health Department, Facilities, and Risk Management, the courthouse is expected to resume normal operations after the holiday break on Monday, January 5, 2026.
This marks the second time Legionella has been found in an Oakland County building this month.
Testing confirmed the presence of the bacteria in the Oakland County Sheriff’s Administration Building at 38 East in Pontiac on Dec. 4 after an employee tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. The building wasn’t open to the public, officials previously said.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia that is caused by exposure to the Legionella bacteria. It is not spread from person to person.