LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – As of midday Tuesday, hot, running water has been restored to the Lawton Veterans Center.

The flushing process began just after 8 a.m. and ended at 10 a.m., according to Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs officials.

This follows the discovery of potential Legionella exposure, potentially leading to Legionnaires’ disease (a type of pneumonia), which was reported to the State Department of Health.

ODVA officials said chlorine tests were conducted the same day, but no deficit was found.

Five days later, officials said the Health Department took additional samples from the home, with a two-week lead time for results.

As a result, the water was turned off, per the order of the VA Federal Surveyor. However, water was delivered to the center to allow operations to continue.

Officials said: “At no time was care at the home compromised as clean water was consistently available throughout this process. »

Because the situation took longer to resolve than expected, ODVA officials said they are actively adjusting their policies and procedures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

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