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The Rosa Parks Federal Building was closed in June 2023 due to test results which showed bacterial slime in the building’s water. In July 2023, test results showed Legionella in the building’s cooling towers and drinking water. Immediate remediation was completed and the building reopened in its entirety on November 28, 2023. Plans for additional plumbing modifications and repairs are in progress.
Rosa Parks Federal Building Sampling Locations and Testing Results as of Jan. 23, 2024 (note: results are logged on the date the sample was received at the lab)
What are GSA’s long term plans to remedy the water situation?
GSA is planning a number of improvements to the building’s water systems. Some examples of possible project scopes include replacing hot water tanks, balancing the hot water recirculation system, modifications to the main building mixing valves, and modifications to improve the effectiveness of flushing. GSA has awarded a design work order to begin preparing bid packages for the highest priority scopes.
In addition to repairs and alterations to building infrastructure, the building will also be implementing a Water Management Plan (WMP). The plan is still under development and will document the operational strategy for monitoring water quality and responding to water quality events.
What is causing the water issues?
Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams and may be present within a city’s distribution system. Disruptions in the city’s distribution system may cause it to enter the building’s water system. With the right controls in place, including the appropriate levels of disinfectant, water temperature, and freshness, bacteria entering the building’s system would not be able to grow and spread. A WMP will define such controls for the building’s water system.
How will GSA prevent this from happening again?
The building will implement a WMP, which is still under development. The WMP will document the operational strategy for monitoring water quality and responding to water quality events.
Is GSA testing for lead and copper too with the new filters?
GSA is installing point-of-use microbial filters with an effective pore size of 0.2-microns that comply with the requirements of ASTM F838. This is in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for Legionella control. GSA expects this small pore size to remove particulates or sediments that may contain lead or copper, but the filter may not be effective in removing dissolved metals. GSA will continue to conduct representative testing for lead and copper to ensure water in the building meets thresholds established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the meantime, GSA is restricting access to all drinking water fountains and providing an alternate source of water for consumption. It is safe to wash your hands, bathe, and clean with water exceeding the EPA action levels for lead and copper.
How will water filters for water and ice making fridges be addressed, and who will be responsible for this?
In the immediate future, GSA is considering the disconnection of water lines to all fridges and ice machines. GSA is still working through details of how to best ensure equipment of this type is maintained and not a risk to the building’s water quality. Changes to the filters need to be done per manufacturer’s guidelines, on a regular basis, and flushing of lines may also be required.
Are the filters appropriate for the intended purposes and temperature?
Yes, they have the correct rating for the water temperature. Testing will continue after the filters are installed to ensure water continues to meet the appropriate standards.
Why aren’t reverse osmosis filters being used?
The challenge is that it’s a slow process and is not aligned with operating a building because of the low flow it would generate. We will have filters in place and will provide alternate drinking water.
A water main break occurred in November 2022. Could that have caused the building’s water issues?
It’s possible, but this can’t be proven because no sampling was done at that time. There were likely multiple contributing factors to the issues and not a single cause.
Is air quality impacted by the water issues?
We comply with the ASHRAE standard. Checking for Legionella in the air is not an industry standard practice. We check for it in the water which is the source so it’s not necessary to check for it in the air. Additionally, the CDC recommends water testing, as air testing is not as precise.
What kind of filters are being used, and how do they work?
GSA is installing point-of-use microbial filters with an effective pore size of 0.2-microns that comply with the requirements of ASTM F838. This is in alignment with CDC recommendations for Legionella control. The small pore size is effective in removing Legionella from the water. Details on the filters being used can be found on this water project update page.
What is an in-line filter?
In-line filters are installed on the plumbing lines leading to the fixture. They are still considered “point-of-use” since their installation is close (within a foot or two) of the end use faucet. These filters are most likely not visible to a user in normal operations. Details on these filters can be found on this water project update page.
What is a cooling tower?
Cooling towers are often part of the centralized air cooling system for buildings. These structures contain water and fans to remove heat from the air. In this process, cooling towers can create aerosols (droplets of water in the air). If a cooling tower is not properly maintained, those aerosols can contain Legionella bacteria.
What is Legionella and what risks does it pose?
Legionella is a bacteria that can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac fever. Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems. Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. People at increased risk of getting sick are:
People 50 years or older
Current or former smokers
People with a chronic lung disease (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema)
People with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy)
People with cancer
People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure
Please see the CDC fact sheet on this page for more information.
What is the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ Disease or Pontiac Fever from the use of a toilet?
The route of exposure for Legionnaires’ Disease or Pontiac Fever is inhalation of aerosolized water which contains Legionella. Toilets are designed to minimize the creation of aerosols or water droplets that impact the user. Most toilets are equipped with automatic flush valves allowing the user to leave the stall before the toilet flushes. Water which is provided by the Great Lakes Water Authority through the City of Detroit contains disinfectant. Disinfectants are used as the control measure to mitigate the survival and growth of Legionella in premise plumbing systems. This disinfected drinking water is used in toilets. Additionally, toilet rooms in GSA facilities have exhaust fans that operate continuously when the facility is occupied. CDC concurs that toilet use presents a very low risk of exposure to Legionella.
When will the filters be replaced?
Filters will be replaced when the water flow is reduced by 50% or when the manufacturer’s recommended time frame (days since installation) is reached, whichever comes first.
What happens if there is a positive Legionella test in the building after reopening?
Are the same locations selected for testing in the building?
Yes, the testing pool has been the same (however, due to access issues, some locations were not included during some rounds). We are testing the same locations to see performance over time. Changing testing locations wouldn’t provide that confirmation. Based on the testing, the filters are effective. The sampling pool for biweekly testing currently includes representative restrooms (4 per floor), all ICE processing areas, representative janitorial sinks, all kitchenettes, all lactation rooms, all showers, all service lines, all health unit fixtures, and representative water coolers.
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Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions are set by the Department of Defense.
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surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties,
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entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties,
even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.
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