Alert Memorandum: PBS Must Take Immediate Action to Address the Risk of Legionella Contamination in GSA-Controlled Buildings

GSA's Public Buildings Service must take immediate action to address the risk of Legionella contamination in water systems across GSA-controlled (owned and leased) buildings. Since July 11, 2023, elevated levels of Legionella bacteria (Legionella)—the primary cause of Legionnaires’ disease—were detected in water at six GSA-controlled buildings located across four different GSA regions. The current reduced building occupancy levels can lead to water stagnation, which provides ideal conditions for the growth and spread of Legionella and increases the likelihood that other buildings may be contaminated.