Compliance Resources for GSA’s New Legionella and Water Testing Requirements in Puerto Rico

Earlier this year, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) outlined new requirements for drinking water standards in GSA-controlled spaces with a primary emphasis on ensuring the safety of federal employees, contractors and visitors.

The agency claims the new testing requirements are a cornerstone in maintaining drinking water standards for federally owned facilities and leased spaces 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. The plan 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).

“GSA testing requirements for the current fiscal year include sampling for Legionella, lead, copper, total coliform bacteria and E.coli,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Nationwide, thousands of locations in hundreds of buildings are required to have their water tested. Zimmetry Environmental is uniquely positioned to provide sampling and test results in Puerto Rico and across the region. These services meet all GSA requirements and comply with testing protocols.”

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their Legionella and other water quality management testing resources, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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