A person wearing blue gloves collects a water sample in a glass beaker from a pond, with a kit containing test tubes nearby.

Ensuring Compliance With ASHRAE Standard 188-2018

CSL Water Quality, Inc. provides comprehensive water management solutions, including hot water system treatment, to help facilities comply with ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, which establishes guidelines to prevent Legionnaires' disease and other waterborne pathogens.

New Jersey Senate Bill No. 2188

A water treatment facility with large tanks and equipment under a cloudy sky.

What You Need to Know

On September 12, 2024, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Senate Bill 2188 into law, mandating strict water management requirements for certain buildings. This legislation ensures the safe management of water systems in facilities with higher risks of Legionella bacteria.

Bubbles rising in clear blue water create a dynamic, shimmery effect against a deep blue background.

Who is Affected?

Facilities required to implement a Water Management Plan (WMP) include:

  • Healthcare facilities where people stay for more than 24 hours
  • Buildings that treat immunocompromised patients (e.g., burn units, transplant centers)
  • Facilities with water aerosol systems (pools, cooling towers, fountains, humidifiers, spas, etc.)
  • High-rise buildings (10+ stories, including underground levels)
A water treatment facility with a series of blue metal structures and tanks reflecting in the water, under a cloudy sky.

Compliance Deadlines

  • Public Notice Issued: Within 120 days of enactment, state agencies (DEP, DOH, and Community Affairs) will release compliance guidelines.
  • Water Management Program Implementation: Facilities must establish a WMP within one year of the law’s effective date.
  • Final Regulations Adopted: The Department of Health will finalize rules within 180 days of enactment.
  • Annual Reporting Requirement: Facilities must submit ongoing compliance reports.

Comprehensive Water Management Plans (WMPs)

Our Water Management Plans (WMPs) help facilities maintain safe water quality in both potable and non-potable systems.

A water droplet hovers above concentric ripples on a calm liquid surface, reflecting light and colors.

Key Elements of a Water Management Plan

  • Develop a Water Management Team – Assign roles for oversight and compliance.
  • Create a Water System Flow Diagram – Identify areas where Legionella could grow.
  • Analyze Water Flow & Risk Points – Assess high-risk zones such as cooling towers, hot water systems, and decorative fountains.
  • Implement Monitoring & Control Measures – Set up regular testing protocols for Legionella and disinfectant levels.
  • Establish Corrective Actions – Develop response plans for contamination events.
  • Maintain Documentation – Keep organized logs of all water quality monitoring and maintenance efforts.
A person in protective gear and gloves pours liquid from a test tube into a beaker near a body of water.

Treatment & Disinfectant Monitoring

Maintaining proper water treatment and disinfectant levels is crucial for Legionella control:

  • Free chlorine levels must be ≥0.3 mg/L, or mono-chloramine levels should be ≥1.0 mg/L.
  • Regular disinfectant residual testing ensures adequate protection.
  • Hot water temperatures should remain above 140°F (60°C) to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Cold water should stay below Legionella growth range.
Person in blue gloves holding a conical flask with clear liquid, another person in background.

Site Survey & Risk Assessment

Before creating a Water Management Plan, CSL Water Quality, Inc. conducts a site survey to evaluate:

  • Water system design and maintenance history
  • Temperature control and disinfection effectiveness
  • Building characteristics that may promote Legionella growth
  • Existing monitoring procedures and testing methods

Each WMP is customized based on the unique risks of the facility—there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Maintenance Program Plan (MPP)

Cooling towers are a significant Legionella risk if not properly maintained. CSL Water Quality, Inc. offers a Maintenance Program Plan (MPP) specifically for cooling tower systems.

Key Components of an MPP

  • Management & Maintenance Responsibilities – Clearly defines who oversees compliance.
  • Cooling Tower Specifications & Routine Inspections – Ensures structural and mechanical integrity.
  • Quarterly Legionella Testing – Monitors bacterial growth risk.
  • Chemical Treatment & Biocide Monitoring – Ensures water is properly disinfected.
  • Biannual Cooling Tower Cleaning & Disinfection – Prevents biofilm formation and Legionella growth.
  • Mid-Season Hyperchlorination – Added in 2022 for enhanced safety.

This program adheres to NYC DOH guidelines from Local Law 77 and ASHRAE Standard 188-2018.

Stay Compliant & Protect Public Health

CSL Water Quality, Inc. provides customized water safety plans. We offer regulatory guidance and ongoing support to help your facility maintain compliance. Our services help prevent Legionella outbreaks.

A person in protective gear uses a pipette to dispense liquid into test tubes on a holder, next to a beaker with green liquid, by a wastewater treatment facility.
A gloved hand collects water in a glass container from a pond for testing purposes.

Let’s Talk Solutions

Whether you need a full Water Management Plan or routine maintenance, we’ve got you covered. Request a detailed quote and find out how we can help you stay compliant and protected.

Request a Quote