New GSA Water Quality Management Testing Requirements

New water quality testing requirements were recently announced and implemented by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The agency states the testing requirements are a cornerstone in their efforts to maintain drinking water standards for federally owned facilities and leased space under their jurisdiction, custody or control.

GSA’s Public Building Service (PBS) water quality management plan includes a scope of sampling and testing that is above established regulations. It requires:

• Establishing baseline drinking-water quality tests at approximately 1,400 federally owned facilities and approximately 6,000 leased spaces in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.
• Testing federally owned facilities that are over 1,000 square feet with drinking water systems and GSA-controlled leased spaces that do not expire in FY24.
• Developing and implementing water sampling and flushing plans based on ASHRAE recommendations in approximately 350 federally owned facilities that are higher than six stories and over 50,000 square feet with one or more water booster pumps.
• Performing weekly water flushing in areas of buildings with childcare centers, healthcare units and showers, regardless of the building size.
• Performing monthly Legionella testing of all cooling towers, humidifiers and decorative fountains (during the operating season).

“Thousands of locations in hundreds of buildings are required to have their water tested in the current fiscal year,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “GSA testing includes sampling for Legionella, lead, copper, total coliform bacteria and E.coli. To assist in this effort, EMSL has dozens of laboratories located across the United States that are available to provide the required testing services and specialized sampling supplies to comply with the new GSA water testing protocols.”

To learn more about Legionella and other water quality management testing services and sampling resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail