GSA is committed to quality water
At GSA, we focus every day on ensuring the safety of federal employees, contractors, and visitors in federal facilities. That includes maintaining water quality in our facilities, which is pivotal for a healthy work environment.
Consulting with federal, state and local governments and industry experts, GSA developed a new Order and Desk Guide for Drinking Water Quality Management (PBS 1000.7A). This new guidance serves as a cornerstone in maintaining drinking water standards for federally owned facilities and leased space under the jurisdiction, custody or control of GSA (GSA-controlled).
- Outlines nationwide GSA requirements for effective drinking water standards with a primary emphasis on ensuring the safety of federal employees, contractors, and visitors.
- Establishes a proactive approach to managing drinking water quality in GSA-controlled space.
- References and includes many of the best practices outlined in ASHRAE Standards 188 & 514 along with Guideline 12.
GSA is implementing a new scope for sampling and testing that is above established regulations. Our goal is to proactively identify issues and adjust water management practices to prevent and, if necessary, correct any potential areas of concern.
GSA will:
- Establish baseline drinking-water quality tests at approximately 1,400 federally owned facilities and approximately 6,000 leased spaces in fiscal year 2024.
- Test federally owned facilities that are over 1,000 square feet (SF) with drinking water systems and GSA-controlled leased spaces that do not expire in FY 2024.
- Develop and implement 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 SF with one or more water booster pumps.
- Perform weekly water flushing in areas of buildings with childcare centers and healthcare units, regardless of the building size.
- Perform monthly Legionella testing of all cooling towers, humidifiers, and decorative fountains (during the operating season).
GSA conducted a Client Enrichment Series session on Water Quality Management in GSA Buildings on Feb. 15. If you were unable to attend and would like to review the session, the recording is available along with the slides presented.
Please visit GSA’s water quality management website for more information and an overview of water quality management in federally-owned, leased, and delegated facilities, as well as information on testing timelines, updated guidance, and links to industry resources.
This article is part of the Spring issue of the FOCUS newsletter. Please visit the Focus Newsletter page to read our newsletter.