ABOUT
U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach annually conducts routine Legionella bacteria testing in all garrison communities. Environmental Final Governing Standards for Germany require the annual monitoring of bathroom showers for Legionella bacteria at locations meeting technical criteria throughout USAG Ansbach, to include on-post housing and tenant unit buildings. These standards are a regulatory directive, aligning both Department of Defense policy and German federal and state regulations to provide environmental compliance criteria for all DOD installations. Legionella is a type of bacterium found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
UNDERSTANDING WATER SAMPLING
The 10 minute sampling process requires an outsourced contractor from a German certified testing laboratory to enter your home for the collection of a hot water sample from the bathroom shower. Samples are sent to the lab with results reported within 60 days. If Legionella is detected above the Final Governing Standards for Germany action limit, residents will be notified and corrective actions taken immediately.
All structures containing showers and/or dishwashing units — which meet the technical criteria in accordance with an Installation Management Command Europe tasker for routine monitoring of Legionella bacteria — will receive notice of selection for participation. A notification letter from the Housing, Utilities and Environmental Division will be issued to selected residents, during the testing period.
USAG Ansbach notes that this sampling is not connected to the lead testing. Preparation measures differ for each of these surveys and some buildings may be subject to both, dependent on the technical criteria met for each. Legionella does not impact drinking water.
USAG Ansbach is committed to the health and safety of our Soldiers, family members and workforce. For more information on Legionella and why routine test monitoring is performed, visit www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/causes-transmission.html.
- For questions regarding this testing effort, contact: USAG Ansbach Environmental Division at CIV 0964-170-587-1671 or DSN 587-1671.
- For any medical questions you may have about Legionella, contact: MEDDAC-Bavaria Preventive Medicine at CIV 09662-83-3966 or DSN 590-3966.
DECEMBER 2025
Legionella sampling conducted between the end of June and early November 2025. No exceedances at Army Family Housing (AFH).
Questions & Answers
What is Legionella?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionella bacteria can be found naturally in fresh water and also in man-made settings if water is not properly maintained. These man-made water sources can become a health concern when small droplets of water containing the bacteria are vaporized (by showers or humidifiers) and are inhaled. People can only become infected by inhaling droplets containing Legionella bacteria at high concentrations, not by drinking the water or through contact with an infected person.
Why are buildings being tested?
This is an annual requirement from the German government. The requirement does not mean there is a new development or “spread” of a disease. Although standards in place are aimed at eliminating Legionella bacteria from homes and businesses, the presence of the bacteria itself is not a health crisis. People can only become infected by inhaling droplets containing Legionella bacteria at high concentrations, not by drinking the water or through contact with an infected person.
What actions are taken if a test sample exceeds allowances?
Actions for each building or facility will be different depending on the test results. The USAG Ansbach Housing Office and Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division will notify residents of the results of their building's test and any measures that will be taken to rectify the situation, if results show bacteria is above acceptable thresholds.
What are actionable levels?
- Up to 100 CFUs/100ml of bacteria requires no action.
- Above 100, but below 10,000 CFUs/100ml of bacteria requires DPW to conduct a technical inspection and perform a two-step process of heating and flushing building water systems. Water can still be consumed (drinking and cooking) and used for bathing purposes.
- Levels above 10,000 CFUs/100ml of bacteria requires DPW to conduct a technical inspection and perform a two-step process of heating and flushing building water systems. Residents can continue consuming their water (drinking and cooking), but must refrain from using the water for bathing (showers and baths).
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
The time between exposure to the bacterium and the start of symptoms of LD is 2 to 14 days; for Pontiac Fever, it is shorter, generally a few hours to 3 days.
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease?
At first, both forms of infection have similar symptoms, including loss of appetite, malaise and headache. A rapidly rising fever with chills occurs within 24 hours. It is not uncommon for fevers to reach 102-105°F. Abdominal pain, nonproductive cough and diarrhea are also common. Among people hospitalized for Legionella, up to a third may die. Pontiac Fever is not associated with pneumonia or death and recovery is spontaneous in 2-5 days, without treatment.