DGS prioritizes the health and safety of employees and visitors in state-owned and operated buildings. We are committed to providing clean, safe, and reliable water to all our facilities.  We accomplish this through proactive monitoring and maintenance.

​The Water Quality Management Program​ provides a comprehensive, structured approach to monitoring, testing, and treating water systems in facilities managed by DGS. This proactive program is designed to ensure water quality, prevent waterborne illnesses, and support the ongoing health and safety of building occupants.

Scope and Purpose

This program applies to all DGS-managed facilities and establishes guidelines for managing potable and non-potable water systems to ensure:

• Health and safety of all occupants
• Compliance with federal, state, and local water quality standards
  
• Prevention and control of water-borne pathogens and heavy metals
  
• Implementation of effective risk management and remediation practices across all building water systems
  

Program Guidance

The water quality management program is structured to comply with recognized standards and best practices, including guidance from the following organizations and regulations:​

• EPA
  
• CDC
  
• OSHA
  
• ASHRAE
  
• Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.02 - Water Quality​​

Water System Maintenance Program

Ensures water quality through regular testing, sterilization, and adherence to strict safety standards. This program is designed to protect the health and well-being of all tenants and visitors.

What We Test For

• Legionella Pneumophila
• Lead and Copper: To ensure levels are below EPA action levels
• Total Coliform and E. coli: To detect bacterial contamination
• Chlorine Residual: To verify adequate disinfection
• pH Levels: To maintain proper water balance
• Turbidity: To measure water clarity

​Benefits

The Routine Water System Maintenance Program offers several key benefits for tenants and visitors:

• Safe Drinking Water: Reduced risk of waterborne illnesses
• Improved Water Quality: Enhanced taste and clarity of water
• Regulatory Compliance: Assurance that our facilities meet all state and federal water quality standards
• Proactive Maintenance: Prevents potential water system issues before they arise
  

​Additional ​Resources​

​Legionella ​

• CDC Legionella Information
• CDC Legionnaires’ Disease Fact Sheet
• CDC’s “Routine Legionella testing: A multifactorial approach to performance indicator interpretation”
• CDC's "Routine Legionella Testing in Buildings​ Without Cases"
• CDC's "How Legionella Affects Building Water Systems and People"
• CDC’s “Controlling Legionella in Potable Water Systems”
• CDC’s Legionella (Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever): Causes, How it Spreads, and People at Increased Risk​
• GSA Legionella Fact Sheet
• MDH Legionellosis Fact Sheet​
• OSHA’s Legionellosis (Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever)​

Total Coliform and E. coli

• ​EPA Revised Total Coliform Rule And Total Coliform Rule​

Lead

Copper