The law ties programs to sampling/testing, including testing for Legionella pneumophila, and expects sampling/testing to match DOH rules and best practices.
Some public community water systems must keep a minimum disinfectant level in the active parts of their system:
Utilities also have to follow a distribution system management plan and provide annual certification to NJDEP.
Some buildings must have a Water Management Program/Plan (WMP) for Legionella. These programs are expected to follow ASHRAE 188.
A Water Management Plan is a living document that defines your building-specific risks, control limits, monitoring routines, and exactly what to do when limits are out of range. We help you build it correctly, then help you run it.
New Jersey’s Legionella requirements apply to several building types, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, residential high-rises with centralized hot water, hotels and motels with 25+ transient units, senior or disability housing, correctional facilities, and any site previously tied to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Facilities with aerosol-producing equipment—such as cooling towers, pools, spas, whirlpools, and fountains—are also included.
If you’re unsure whether your building is covered, a quick system review is the safest starting point.
A Water Management Program (WMP) is a written, practical roadmap for controlling Legionella in building water systems. A strong WMP outlines team responsibilities, system descriptions, and simple diagrams; identifies where risk is most likely to occur; defines control measures such as temperature, disinfectant, flushing, and cleaning; sets monitoring steps and acceptable limits; provides clear corrective actions; and ensures organized recordkeeping.
The law links water management programs directly to sampling and testing, including testing for Legionella pneumophila. Testing must align with state and DOH guidance. In practice, this means starting with an environmental assessment, designing a thoughtful sampling plan, and selecting sampling locations that represent the entire system—central points, aerosol devices, and other high-risk areas.
The NJ law includes defined implementation timelines. Covered buildings must implement a Water Management Program within 27 months of the law taking effect. Public water systems must complete their distribution system management plan within six months of NJDEP publishing best practices and submit annual certification. Exact enforcement steps may vary by facility type and agency guidance.
If you operate a covered NJ building, here’s the clean path:
Find the real problem areas in your system (not generic advice).
Turn risk into a clear checklist your team can follow every week/month.
Choose sample points, frequency, and “what we do if results change.”
If an inspector, leadership team, or safety committee asks “show me,” you’re ready.
Our formulations meet NSF safety standards to protect your people and your equipment.
Backed by decades of industry experience and a proven track record of results.
Serving facilities across the midwest with responsive, local water treatment support.
Closed loops feed your heat exchangers too. Explore our Closed Loop Water Treatment and Glycol Solutions to stop corrosion before it reaches your boiler.
Your steam system isn’t the only one that needs protection. Keep your cooling water clean and balanced with our Cooling Tower Treatment Programs.
For maximum reliability, combine your boiler program with Filtration Solutions to remove rust and debris before they enter your feedwater system
