The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) established requirements for managing and overseeing drinking water through the Public Building Service by publishing PBS 1000.7A in late 2023. The objective of the order is to conduct baseline water testing throughout 2024 in federally owned facilities and leased facilities under the control of the GSA.
Through this order, the PBS intends to ensure that any facilities falling under their jurisdiction provide safe and healthy environments. The PBS will identify facilities not meeting these standards through regular inspections, audits, and reports from occupants. Additionally, the order is specifically requiring baseline drinking water quality testing by qualified professionals to ensure the water meets safety standards and to identify any potential contaminants early. This proactive approach aims to safeguard the health of all facility users and address any issues promptly.
Testing Requirements
Per the new order, ten percent, or a minimum of five, of all cold water outlets designed for human consumption must be tested for the presence of Lead, Copper and Total Coliform (including E. coli). The results of this testing are compared to the applicable federal, state, or local thresholds. Test results exceeding the relevant limits will require immediate remedial actions to reduce the concentration of the analyte(s) present in the water. Additional testing will also be required after the initial remedial actions are complete to ensure these activities were effective in lowering the concentration of analytes.
A representative number of hot and cold-water outlets will also require testing to determine the presence of legionella. For additional information, please reference PBS 1000.7A, “Desk Guide for Drinking Water Quality Management Companion to GSA Order PBS 1000.7A” which outlines what locations should be sampled for legionella These [JS1] hot and cold-water outlets include incoming municipal water, storage tanks, expansion tanks, hot water circulation units showers , all human consumption outlets in child care facilities and health units where patients are being treated and 10% of all remaining human consumption outlets. In general, well controlled for potable water would be Legionella detectable to <0.9 CFU/mL and detectable to <9 CFU/mL for non-potable water. For additional resources, the Guidance in the Order requires that action must be taken if the system is not “well controlled” per CDC guidelines and the “Legionella Control Toolkit” on the CDC website provides a detailed overview on control.
SPL Can Help
With a network of environmental testing laboratories across Texas, and three hubs in the Texas Triangle, SPL is well suited to assist you in meeting these emerging regulatory requirements. Our team can assist with initial project management support to ensure a proper sampling plan is designed as well as licensed water operators to correctly capture your samples. . Further, our lab analysts will maintain chain of custody and sample viability documentation. Our accredited laboratories will provide you with test results supported by our extensive quality systems.
Joel Grice | Executive Vice President, Environmental Services Mr. Grice currently serves as an Executive Vice President for SPL. Mr. Grice obtained a degree in Microbiology from Texas Tech University. Since then he has spent over thirty years in the commercial analytical laboratory sector. During this tenure he has held a variety of roles from laboratory analyst to executive management. In his current role, Mr. Grice is working with his team to expand SPL’s environmental testing footprint. |
