GSA Water Quality Management Laboratory Services

GSA Water Quality Management
Laboratory Services

In 2024, GSA is requiring Water Quality Management testing for all Leased and owned Buildings. This testing includes Legionella, lead, copper and total coliform [including E. coli]. EMSL has a network of over 40 Laboratories throughout the United States who maintain the required NELAC, State and Federal Accreditations, as specified.

Lead and Copper Testing

Accreditation: NELAC
Test Method: EPA 200.8
Test Code: ICP-MS (lead / copper)
Sample Volume: 250mL (unpreserved or Nitric acid)
Source: Cold water – first draw
Turnaround-time (TAT): 1 week
Hold Time: none

Total Coliform including E. coli Testing

Accreditation: State Certification
Test Method: EPA 9223 B-1997
Test Code: M017
Sample Volume: 100mL (Na-thio)
Source: Cold water – first draw
Turnaround-time (TAT): 2 day
Hold Time: 30 hours

Legionella Testing

Accreditation: ISO 17025:2017 (AIHA or A2LA) or CDC ELITE
Test Method: ISO 11731:2017
Test Code: M345
Sample Volume: 250mL (Na-thio)
Source: Hot water – first draw
Turnaround-time (TAT): 2 week
Hold Time: None (48 hours for New York State)

Lead and Copper Testing

Metal parameters must be analyzed at a State-certified laboratory accredited under the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) program using EPA Method 200.8 or the state-approved equivalent method. Please be aware that state and local requirements might require specific laboratories to be used.
The testing laboratory must be contacted before sampling to receive sample collection materials, information on sampling methodology, paperwork, and transport. The sampling contractor must follow all instructions from the testing laboratory closely, including completing the chain of custody.
Metals must be “first draw” samples after an 8-hour minimum stagnation period and before the use of any drinking water outlet by the occupants. The stagnation period should be ideally no longer than 18 hours.
Sample bottles must be pre-cleaned, laboratory-provided polyethylene bottles or as state and local requirements otherwise mandated.
A single 250 mL sample must be collected or as otherwise mandated by state and local requirements.
Only sample cold water outlets, do not sample hot water outlets or outlets with automatic mixing valves.
Samples must be transported under standard chain-of-custody protocols to the state-certified drinking water laboratory accredited under the NELAC program.
Analyze samples with a standard analytical turnaround of no greater than seven calendar days upon laboratory receipt of the sample.
Assess the analytical results by comparing them to the relevant state and local regulations. In cases where such regulations are acceptable, apply the thresholds set by the EPA National Primary Drinking Water Standards to determine compliance.

Total Coliform including E. coli Testing

Total coliform and E. coli samples must be collected and analyzed using an EPA method for coliform approved under the Revised Total Coliform Rule (such as EPA Standard Method 9223 B-1997, 9221, or 9222) or the state-approved equivalent method and must be analyzed at a State-certified laboratory.
The testing laboratory must be contacted before sampling to receive sample collection materials, information on sampling methodology, paperwork, and transport. The sampling contractor must follow all instructions from the testing laboratory closely, including completing the chain of custody.
The exterior of the fixture or sample must be disinfected before sample collection to prevent sampling contamination.
The standard sample volume required for total coliform analysis, regardless of the analytical method used, is 100 ml.
It is only required to determine the presence or absence of total coliforms; a determination of total coliform density is not required.
Evaluate analytical results against EPA National Primary Drinking Water Standard thresholds, determining threshold conformance. A positive result shall be considered an exceedance.

Legionella Testing

Legionella must be analyzed at a laboratory accredited for Legionella analysis according to the international laboratory quality standard ISO 17025:2017 by an accreditation body that is itself accredited according to ISO 17011:2017 (such as AIHA LAP), approved by the CDC Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation program, or as required by specific state requirements (such as the New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program for New York State).
Analyze all water sampling using the traditional spread-plate Legionella culture method (based on ISO 11731:2017 and/or the U.S. CDC methods published in 2005). PCR sampling will not be accepted for this effort. Reporting of Legionella concentration in colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) and the identification of the basic types of species present (e.g., Legionella pneumonia serogroup 1, Non-LP1 Legionella pneumonia, non-Legionella pneumonia) is required.
The testing laboratory must be contacted before sampling to receive sample collection materials, information on sampling methodology, paperwork, and transport. The sampling contractor must follow all instructions from the testing laboratory closely, including completing the chain of custody.
A single 250 mL sample must be collected or as otherwise mandated by state and local requirements (such as 1.0 L).
Analyze samples with a standard analytical turnaround of no greater than fourteen days upon laboratory receipt of the sample.
Evaluate analytical results according to the CDC resource for Routine Testing of Legionella, specifically.

Contact Us

Melissa Helmick
Senior Director of Business Development-Microbiology Services
856.303.3429
mhelmick@emsl.com

GSA Water Quality Management Laboratory Services