The Suitland Federal Center serves as the headquarters for the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
For the third time in four weeks, statistical agency employees working in the same federal building have had their offices temporarily closed because of an unspecified water issue.
The Suitland Federal Center in Maryland — the headquarters for the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics — was closed on Monday because of “continued water quality management treatment,” according to an email sent to staff.
Two employees who work in the building told Federal News Network that they received similar messages announcing the building would be closed on May 15 and May 18.
In an email obtained by Federal News Network, the Bureau of Economic Analysis told staff that the Suitland Federal Center “will be closed to all personnel” on June 1.
The email, sent to employees Sunday evening, said staff could briefly enter the building to retrieve laptops or other necessary items, “but must depart immediately afterward.”
BEA wrote that employees are expected to telework if they have a telework agreement in place, or to take leave. Employees without telework agreements must take weather and safety leave.
A GSA spokesperson told Federal News Network in a statement that the agency “is committed to ensuring the safety of all employees, contractors, and visitors in our federal buildings,” but did not specify what water quality issue is being addressed at the Suitland Federal Center.
“GSA has developed a proactive approach to assess and treat water systems. Based on results, we’re communicating regularly with our tenant agencies to ensure that our facilities can continue to be used safely,” the spokesperson said.
The Census Bureau and BEA referred all questions to GSA.
A Census Bureau employee told Federal News Network that the workforce isn’t getting many details from management about what issue is being addressed or how long it will take to mitigate.
“They haven’t given us much explanation beyond that [email]. Just telling us to ask in our chain of command. That doesn’t get anywhere,” the employee said.
Several federal buildings have dealt with different types of water quality issues in recent years. In response, some agencies have kept employees in the office while mitigation work is underway. Others have decided to temporarily shutter their offices until mitigation steps are complete.
Last year, a union representing Federal Aviation Administration employees told staff that water in the agency’s headquarters tested positive for lead contamination. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “there is no safe level of exposure to lead.”
In June 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services temporarily closed its Baltimore headquarters after discovering Legionella bacteria in its water supply during major renovations. CMS reopened its building in August 2024.
Around the same time, the nearby Social Security Administration headquarters also discovered higher-than-normal levels of Legionella bacteria in its water supply. The agency turned off about 20 water fixtures but allowed employees to keep working in the building.
Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease. In most states, healthcare facilities and physicians are legally required to report cases to their department of health. No cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported to Maryland’s Department of Health around the time when these higher concentrations of Legionella bacteria were discovered at the CMS and SSA headquarters.
According to GSA’s website, Legionella is commonly found in building water systems, “even well-maintained ones.” GSA said studies indicate it is present in approximately 50% of large building water systems. The agency states it is considered a “normal part of plumbing system ‘microbiomes,’” and that most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick.
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