Companies in the Bronx cleaning out the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' Disease

SOUTH BRONX (WABC) -- Parts of the Bronx remain on high alert, following the outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease.

One company showed us how they got rid of bacteria at one of the places that tested positive.

It takes much more than just elbow grease and a scrub brush to clean a cooling tower of Legionella bacteria. It takes experience, know-how, and a good amount of chlorine.

"That's what kills bacteria," said Rich Parker of the Metro Group. "In addition, we put an alkaline detergent and that is to clean for the debris and the presence of biofilm, which is what sort of allows for the proliferation of the organism."

The Metro Group has more than 80 years experience cleaning cooling towers across the five boroughs. On Saturday, a two-man crew descended on the Opera House Hotel in Mott Haven, one of five buildings that positive for Legionella.

Wednesday, workers gave us a first-hand look at the system.

"The water that runs through here is essentially what is running through the building," said senior service manager Rakesh Bughu. "Now this is the closed system. This is what goes into the building which in turn comes in contact with another body of water that goes to the AC units."

Hotel management shelled out several thousand dollars for the weekend emergency cleaning, a necessary expense, says the general manager.

Julio Vargas has spent the last few days assuring customers and his staff that the hotel is decontaminated and safe.

"A lot of people do not have information about this disease so those were the ones who it was a little more difficult to explain and convince with the little bit of information that we have as well. Some others were a little more understanding where they understood that we have taken action," said Vargas.

MORE INFORMATION: Click here to follow all of our coverage of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak