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Despite the presence of Legionella, people can still use fixtures without ill effects, This is a common practice in high-risk facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, according to public health guidance. Regular using (flushing) fixtures, with established preventive measures like following flushing protocols and maintaining proper water temperatures, is essential for reducing Legionella growth and maintaining water quality.
Taking fixtures out of service can actually makes the problem worse by allowing water to sit stagnant, which promotes bacterial growth. Thus, taking fixtures out of service is counterproductive and can lead to higher risk in the long run. Public health agencies, including the CDC and ASHRAE, recommend maintaining fixture use along with appropriate water management practices to control Legionella, ensuring water systems remain functional and safe. These guidelines, which align with ASHRAE 18 and the CDC’s Legionella prevention toolkit, emphasize proactive management to reduce Legionella proliferation while keeping fixtures in use.
Buildings with elevated Legionella levels are still safe to occupy while appropriate control measures are being used. The CDC considers a high level of Legionella to be 1 CFU/mL or higher, as this may indicate conditions that could support bacterial growth. However, address extensive colonization to reduce risk, especially in areas that treat or house high-risk populations (such as hospitals or nursing homes) and in locations where large amounts of water are in the air as a spray, such as cooling towers, spas, or decorative fountains.
Legionella: Water can be safely used for handwashing and dishwashing, as these activities typically do not generate aerosols. Cold water can also be used since Legionella thrives in hot water plumbing.
Lead and Copper: Use only cold water for drinking and cooking, as hot water increases metal leaching. Flush cold water before use and avoid ingestion. Non-ingestive uses, such as handwashing and dishwashing, pose no risk.
E. coli or Total Coliform: Do not use the water for any purpose until it has been treated and confirmed safe.
Legionella is a naturally occurring bacterium commonly found in man-made water systems. It can enter through natural water sources like lakes and streams. It thrives in warm, stagnant areas of water systems, multiplying between 68°F and 122°F (20°C and 50°C).
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches.
People contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small water droplets (aerosols) contaminated with Legionella, typically from showers, cooling towers, or other devices that spray water drops.
The risk of illness from Legionella remains very low. Few cases of Legionnaires’ disease occur, despite its common presence in water systems. However, we still take proactive measures to address underlying factors and reduce potential risks.
Representative sampling enables GSA to identify trends and potential risks for Legionella growth in the water system. An exceedance does not indicate unsafe water. Instead, it highlights conditions that may promote Legionella growth at specific outlets. To stop that growth, we may use measures such as flushing, operational adjustments, treatment, or system-wide disinfection.
GSA uses representative sampling to monitor water quality efficiently and effectively. Testing every outlet disrupts daily operations, and costs in money and time. Representative sampling focuses on high-risk areas based on factors such as water temperature, usage patterns, and plumbing layouts. This approach is similar to that used in hospitals, where they test critical areas like patient wings and operating rooms first.
Baseline testing establishes the current condition of a water system, serving as a reference for identifying future changes or issues. By identifying contaminants or bacteria, such as Legionella, building managers can take control measures to maintain safe water quality.
Legionella bacteria primarily pose a risk when inhaled via water droplets in the air. That’s why we priotitize showers and cooling towers are prioritized for testing. Toilets are not typically a risk, as the bacteria are not sufficiently aerosolized during flushing. Also, toilets use cold water, which limits the growth of pathogenic Legionella. For these reasons, toilets are not included in standard Legionella testing protocols.
No industry standard guidance recommends routine sampling of toilets or urinals for Legionella. According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association, even during a cluster or outbreak investigation, toilets and urinals may remain in service, as they have not been known to transmit Legionnaires’ disease. Similarly, the CDC’s environmental Legionella testing protocol does not include toilets or urinals. While a public health authority may choose to sample toilets or urinals during an outbreak investigation—only after ruling out all other potential sources of Legionella exposure—this approach does not apply to the routine sampling procedures GSA conducts.
Legionella is commonly found in building water systems, even well-maintained ones. Studies indicate it is present in approximately 50% of large building water systems. It is considered a normal part of plumbing system “microbiomes” or bacterial communities. However, despite how widespread Legionella is, Legionella-related infections are rare, accounting for only a small portion of community-acquired pneumonias. Infection requires a pathogenic Legionella strain, sufficient exposure, and a susceptible individual.
While Legionnaires’ disease cases occur across all U.S. states and many other countries, infections are relatively rare. For infection to happen, a susceptible individual must inhale enough quantities of pathogenic Legionella. Most water uses—such as drinking, handwashing, and toilet flushing—pose minimal risk since they do not create conditions for inhaling aerosolized droplets. Elderly individuals or those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection.
If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, public health guidelines recommend requesting a Legionella diagnostic test. Diagnostic methods include urine antigen tests, respiratory cultures, and blood tests. However, if you are not experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, public health experts do not recommend testing for Legionnaires’ disease, as it is unnecessary unless you are ill.
Relatively healthy individuals over the age of 50 face a lower risk of illness than those with highly compromised immune systems. Still, if you are experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, check with your medical provider.
If you are at high risk, consult your medical provider. If you experience symptoms of pneumonia, the CDC suggests requesting a Legionella diagnostic test. Legionnaires’ disease is treatable with antibiotics. As a precaution, the CDC recommends avoiding activities that create water mist, such as showering, or using cold water to reduce aerosolization risk. Also, take care not to make a mist when using water—for example, by filling sinks slowly.
Water testing within buildings is not typically required. Water testing within buildings is usually conducted only when illness is linked to a building or in higher-risk facilities, such as healthcare settings. Until recently, the CDC did not recommend Legionella testing even for healthcare facilities. The General Services Administration’s (GSA) proactive large-scale assessment goes beyond standard requirements. As we know more about waterborne pathogens like Legionella grows, we’re doing more regular testing. We hope this initiative inspires other large property management firms to do the regular testing we’re doing.
A water management plan is recommended for buildings with complex plumbing systems, especially those serving high-risk populations like hospitals and nursing homes. These plans help maintain consistent water quality by identifying and managing risks, including bacteria such as Legionella.
Legionella thrives in warm, stagnant water, particularly in systems with biofilm (slimy layers in pipes) or scale. Water management and engineering controls can minimize its growth by maintaining proper water temperatures, ensuring water flow, and cleaning fixtures regularly.
Common remediation measures include flushing the water system, raising water temperatures, and implementing other engineering controls. If Legionnaires’ disease cases are linked to a building, health departments may recommend more measures such as chemical treatments.
Filters for Legionella are typically only recommended during active outbreaks or in areas with highly vulnerable individuals, such as transplant wards.
Testing air for Legionella is not recommended because results are unreliable. Testing water is far more accurate. Legionella spreads through water aerosols, not air. Cooling towers, which release aerosolized water droplets, can spread the bacteria. To manage this risk, buildings with cooling towers use measures like drift eliminators, maintaining proper distances between towers and air intakes, and installing MERV filters. Also, water that could aerosolize is tested for Legionella as a more reliable detection method.
There is no universally defined concentration of Legionella at which fixtures must be taken out of service. Routine testing identifies whether Legionella is present and provides insights into the system’s performance. Exceedances indicate conditions that may support bacterial growth but do not necessarily mean the water is unsafe.
Fixtures can typically remain in use even when Legionella is detected, as the risk of illness is generally very low. Taking control measures such as flushing, adjusting system parameters, or disinfection can manage growth. Removing fixtures from service is not commonly recommended, as this can create stagnant conditions that promote further bacterial growth. Decisions about continued use must consider the level of risk, the population served, and the ability to take appropriate controls.
Legionnaires’ disease is a reportable disease. Healthcare facilities and physicians are required by law in most states to report cases to the local and state health departments. That data is then sent to the CDC. The process of reporting varies from state to state and local health departments define the timeframe within which the case must be reported. If a person with Legionnaires’ disease is associated with a facility, the health department will contact the facility for more information to determine if a case investigation is required. These involve testing the suspected water sources, reviewing building water management plans, and checking for other cases.
Completely eliminating Legionella from a building’s water system is nearly impossible due to its natural occurrence. However, totally eliminating Legionella is not necessary to protect public health. Remediation efforts can significantly reduce Legionella levels, but ongoing water management is crucial to prevent regrowth.
In many buildings, Legionella has likely been present since their construction without causing illness. However, the low occupancy levels created prolonged water stagnation (low water usage) and improved conditions better for bacterial growth.
The recent GSA water quality testing serves as a baseline for its building inventory, representing a snapshot in time rather than an increase in Legionella growth. Legionella has likely been present for years, as it is in millions of buildings across the country. While low occupancy-related stagnation may have contributed to growth, this initiative provides a starting point for proactive water quality management.
Routine testing for Legionella provides information about whether Legionella is present and/or growing in the system. If testing targets are exceeded, it does not mean the water is unsafe. In the case of Legionella, an exceedance provides some information about the water system’s function. However, no correlation to concentration and disease risk has been made, as most people are likely exposed to Legionella almost every day. Test results reflect how well the system is operating. They are performance-based indicators, not health-based risk thresholds. Legionella in water systems is common, yet disease due to Legionella is rare. This is why fixtures can remain in use.
Legionella testing can involve different methods, each serving a unique purpose:
Both tests serve as part of a broader diagnostic approach, with urine antigen tests being more commonly used to rapidly identify active infections.
Supplemental disinfection systems can help manage Legionella but are not a one-size-fits-all solution. These systems require proper maintenance and monitoring, and may damage a water system if not managed correctly. They are most effective when basic engineering controls, such as maintaining water movement and proper temperatures, are already in place. Thus, they are generally not recommended as the first step for corrective actions. They can be a second step.
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Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions are set by the Department of Defense.
Rates for foreign countries are set by the Department of State.
Rates are available between 10/1/2022 and 09/30/2025.
The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.
Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.
Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."
Per diem localities with county definitions shall include"all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."
When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the 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.
An SBA program that helps provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities that meet the following eligibility requirements:
See Title 13 Part 124 of the Code of Federal Regulations for more information.
From 5 USC 5701(6), "continental United States" means the several states and the District of Columbia, but does not include Alaska or Hawaii.
A multiple-award IDIQ governmentwide acquisition contract offering complete and flexible IT solutions worldwide. A best-in-class GWAC and preferred governmentwide solution, Alliant 2 offers:
It provides best-value IT solutions to federal agencies, while strengthening chances in federal contracting for small businesses through subcontracting.
A dedicated, flexible fuel, or dual-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel.
An investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The law provides funding for LPOE modernization projects that will create new good-paying jobs, bolster safety and security, and make our economy more resilient to supply chain challenges.
An agreement established by a government buyer with a Multiple Award Schedule contractor to fill repetitive needs for supplies or services.
Types of funds to use on specific expenses.
The work done to make a structure or system ready for use or to bring a construction or development project to a completed state.
Negotiated firm-fixed pricing on airline seats for official government travel. The locked-in ticket prices for the fiscal year save federal agencies time and money. Federal employees enjoy flexibility to change their plans without incurring penalties or additional costs. All negotiated rates have:
Use the CPP search tool to find current fares.
A space where individuals work independently or co-work collaboratively in a shared office. The work environment is similar to a typical office, usually inclusive of office equipment and amenities. Typical features of co-working facilities include work spaces, wireless internet, communal printer/copier/fax, shared kitchens, restrooms and open seating areas. May also be referred to as a “shared office.”
A system that is bought from a commercial vendor to solve a particular problem, as opposed to one that a vendor custom builds.
An employee who negotiates and awards contracts with vendors and who has the sole authority to change, alter or modify a contract.
An employee whose duties are to develop proper requirements and ensure contractors meet the commitments during contract administration, including the timeliness and delivery of quality goods and services as required by the contract.
A request of GSA where a federal agency retains and manages all aspects of the procurement process and is able to work with the selected vendor after award.
The process of handling real property that is surplus to the federal government’s needs. Federal law mandates the disposal process, which has these major steps (although not every property goes through every step):
An SBA program that gives preferential consideration for certain government contracts to businesses that meet the following eligibility requirements:
See Title 13 Part 127 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations for more information.
A vehicle that is powered by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable storage batteries or other portable electrical energy storage devices, as defined by 10 C.F.R. § 474.2. It includes a battery electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel-cell electric vehicle, etc.
Also called electric vehicle chargers, this includes EV charge cords, charge stands, attachment plugs, vehicle connectors, and protection, which provide for the safe transfer of energy between the electric utility power and the electric vehicle.
The primary regulation for federal agencies to use when buying supplies and services with funds from Congress.
Use acquisition.gov to browse FAR parts or subparts or download the full FAR in various formats.
The travel and relocation policy for all federal civilian employees and others authorized to travel at government expense.
A program that promotes the adoption of secure cloud services across the federal government by providing a standardized approach to security and risk assessment.
A GSA business line that provides safe, reliable, low-cost vehicle solutions for federal agency customers and eligible entities. Offerings include:
A charge card for U.S. government personnel to use when paying for fuel and maintenance of GSA Fleet vehicles. Find out where the Fleet card is accepted, how to use it and more.
A Department of Homeland Security program that allows members to use expedited lanes at U.S. airports and when crossing international borders by air, land and sea.
A charge card for certain U.S. Government employees to use when buying mission-related supplies or services using simplified acquisition procedures, when applicable, and when the total cost does not exceed micro-purchase thresholds.
A charge card for U.S. government personnel to use when paying for reimbursable expenses while on official travel. Visit smartpay.gsa.gov for more.
A vehicle used to perform an agency’s mission(s), as authorized by the agency.
A pre-competed, multiple-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract that agencies can use to buy total IT solutions more efficiently and economically.
A ceremony marking the official start of a new construction project, typically involving driving shovels into ground at the site.
An online shopping and ordering system at gsaadvantage.gov that provides access for federal government employees and in some cases, state and local entities, to purchase from thousands of contractors offering millions of supplies and services.
An online auction site at gsaauctions.gov that allows the general public to bid on and buy excess federal personal property assets such as:
Real property for which GSA is responsible. It can be either federally owned or leased from a public or private property owner.
An SBA program that gives preferential consideration for certain government contracts to business that meet the following eligibility requirements:
See Title 13 Part 126 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations for more information.
A type of contract when the quantity of supplies or services, above a specified minimum, the government will require is not known. IDIQs help streamline the contract process and speed service delivery.
A fee paid by businesses who are awarded contracts under Multiple Award Schedule to cover GSA’s cost of operating the program. The fee is a fixed percentage of reported sales under MAS contracts that contractors pay within 30 calendar days following the completion of each quarter.
A law that provides $3.375 billion for us to:
This includes $2.15 billion for low embodied carbon materials in construction projects, $975 million to support emerging and sustainable technologies, and $250 million for measures to convert more buildings into High Performance Green Buildings.
A written agreement entered into between two federal agencies, or major organizational units within an agency, which specifies the goods to be furnished or tasks to be accomplished by one agency (the servicing agency) in support of the other (the requesting agency).
A facility, also known as a border station, that provides controlled entry into or departure from the United States for persons or materials. It houses the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal inspection agencies responsible for the enforcement of federal laws related to entering into or departing from the U.S.
An employee who is responsible for preparing, negotiating, awarding and monitoring compliance of lease agreements.
Criteria used to select the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price. Solicitations must specify that award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for non-cost factors.
The rate of reimbursement for driving a privately owned vehicle when your agency authorizes it. Current rates are at gsa.gov/mileage.
Long-term governmentwide contracts with commercial firms providing federal, state, and local government buyers access to more than 11 million commercial products and services at volume discount pricing. Also called Schedules or Federal Supply Schedules.
The standard federal agencies use to classify business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
A family of seven separate governmentwide multiple award, IDIQ contracts for program management, management consulting, logistics, engineering, scientific and financial services.
A formal, signed agreement between GSA’s Public Buildings Service and a federal agency for a specific space assignment.
Services performed under a contract with a federal agency that include:
Official verification of someone’s origin, identity, and nationality. A U.S. passport is required of U.S. citizens for international travel and reentry into the United States. There are three types of passports: diplomatic, official, and regular. A government official may have at the same time a valid regular passport and a valid official or diplomatic passport. Use GSA Form 2083 to begin a request for an official passport.
The per day rates for the lower 48 continental United States, which federal employees are reimbursed for expenses incurred while on official travel. Per diem includes three allowances:
An identification card that allows credentialed government personal to access facilities, computers, or information systems. May also be referred to as HSPD-12 card, LincPass, Smart Card, or CAC.
Furniture and equipment such as appliances, wall hangings, technological devices, and the relocation expenses for such property.
Information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. Get more info from OMB Circular A-130 [PDF].
You should only drive a privately owned vehicle for official travel after your agency evaluates the use of:
When your agency has determined a POV to be the most advantageous method of transportation, you are authorized reimbursement for mileage and some additional allowances (parking, bridge, road and tunnel fees, etc.).
Approvals from GSA’s congressional authorizing committees, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for proposed capital and leasing projects that require funding over an annually established threshold.
Region 1 (New England): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Region 2 (Northeast and Caribbean): Northern New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic): Delaware, parts of Maryland, Southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, parts of Virginia, West Virginia
Region 4 (Southeast Sunbelt): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Region 5 (Great Lakes): Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Region 6 (Heartland): Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Region 7 (Greater Southwest): Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Region 8 (Rocky Mountain): Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
Region 9 (Pacific Rim): Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada
Region 10 (Northwest Arctic): Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Region 11 (National Capital): Washington, D.C., area including parts of Maryland and Virginia
Formal agreements between GSA and a federal agency customer where GSA agrees to provide goods, services, or both, and the federal agency agrees to reimburse GSA’s direct and indirect costs. The customer portal for RWA information is called eRETA at extportal.pbs.gsa.gov.
A document used in negotiated procurements to communicate government requirements to prospective contractors (firms holding Multiple Award Schedule contracts) and to solicit proposals (offers) from them.
A document used to communicate government requirements, but which do not solicit binding offers. Quotations submitted in response are not offers. The Multiple Award Schedule order is the offer, and then the contractor can do something to show acceptance, like ordering supplies or contacting subcontractors.
An SBA program that gives preferential consideration for certain government contracts to businesses that meet the following eligibility requirements:
See Title 13 Part 125 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations for more information.
An SBA designation for businesses that meet size standards set for each NAICS code. Most manufacturing companies with 500 employees or fewer, and most non-manufacturing businesses with average annual receipts under $7.5 million, will qualify as a small business.
See Title 13 Part 121.201 of the Code of Federal Regulations for more information.
To improve and stimulate small business utilization, we award contracts to businesses that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. We have contracting assistance for:
A Small Business Administration program that gives preferential consideration for certain government contracts to business that meet the following eligibility requirements:
See Title 13 Section 124.1001 of the Code of Federal Regulations for more information.
The basis for the lease negotiation process, which becomes part of the lease. SFOs include the information necessary to enable prospective offerors to prepare proposals. See SFO minimum requirements.
Specific supply and service subcategories within our Multiple Award Schedule. For the Information Technology Category, a SIN might be new equipment or cloud services.
A national policy committing to create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.
An online system at sam.gov, which the U.S. Government uses to consolidate acquisition and award systems for use by contractors wishing to do business with the federal government. Formerly known as FBO.gov, all contracting opportunities valued over $25,000 are posted at sam.gov.
When you use a government purchase card, such as the "GSA SmartPay" travel card for business travel, your lodging and rental car costs may be exempt from state sales tax. Individually billed account travel cards are not tax exempt in all states. Search for exemption status, forms and important information.
The finishes and fixtures federal agency tenants select that take a space from a shell condition to a finished, usable condition and compliant with all applicable building codes and standards.
A statute that applies to all Multiple Award Schedule contracts, unless otherwise stated in the solicitation or contract, which requires contractors to sell to the U.S. Government only products that are manufactured or “substantially transformed” in the U.S. or a TAA-designated country.
An option for vendors to report transactional data — information generated when the government purchases goods or services from a vendor — to help us make federal government buying more effective.
See our TDR page for which SINs are eligible and which line-item data to submit.
A unique number required to do business with the federal government.
An indicator of how efficiently a federal agency is currently using space, it is traditionally calculated by dividing the usable square feet of the space, by the number of personnel who occupy the space.
A Small Business Administration program that gives preferential consideration for certain government contracts to businesses that meet the following eligibility requirements:
A governmentwide acquisition contract exclusively for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to sell IT services such as:
The amount of solid waste, such as trash or garbage, construction and demolition waste, and hazardous waste, that is reused, recycled or composted instead of being put in a landfill or burned.
A GSA program designed to promote recycling and reuse of solid waste.
A Small Business Administration program that gives preferential consideration for certain government contracts to businesses that meet the following eligibility requirements:
See Title 13 Part 127 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations for more information.
Vehicles that, when operating, produce zero tailpipe exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant (or precursor pollutant) or greenhouse gas. These include battery and fuel cell electric vehicles, as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles that are capable of operating on gas and electricity. They also may be called all-electric vehicles.
U.S. General Services Administration