Cooling Towers & Legionella Control

Legionnaires' disease is an infection of the lungs (pneumonia) caused byinhalation of Legionellabacteria. Symptoms may include high fever, cough, chills, headaches, muscle pain and mental confusion.

Legionella bacteria are naturally present in the environment at low levels, but they can multiply to dangerous levels in poorly managed cooling towers (used to cool large buildings) and warm water systems (used for instantaneous hot water).
Legionella pneumophila bacteria thrives in warm, stagnant water. To reduce the risk of Legionella growth, regular monitoring, cleaning, treatment, and maintenance of these water systems is essential.

Strathfield Council have an active role in Legionella control within our local government area. We are committed to protecting the health of our community and meeting our responsibilities under the public health legislation.

All cooling towers and warm water systems must be designed, constructed and operated in accordance with the following requirements:

• Public Health Act 2010
• Public Health Regulation 2022
• AS/NZS Air-handling and water systems of buildings Microbial control:

1. AS/NZS 3666.1:2011 - Part 1: Design, installation and commissioning
2. AS/NZS 3666.2:2011 - Part 2: Operation and maintenance
3. AS/NZS 3666.3:2011 - Part 3: Performance-based maintenance of cooling water systems

It is a legal requirement for all owners or occupiers of buildings in our local area who install and operate a cooling tower or warm-water regulated system to notify us.

Council maintains a register of all towers within its Council area.

To register, complete the approved form and email to: council@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

 NSW Health - Legionella Control in Cooling Water Systems - FORM(PDF, 205KB)

Inspections of cooling towers are carried out by Council's Environmental Health Officer on an annual basis to ensure they comply with the abovementioned requirements. A fee is charged to the occupier for this inspection in accordance with Council's Fees and Charges.

Whilst carrying out inspections, Council's Environmental Health Officer ensures that:

• The location of the cooling tower is safe and easily accessible
• The physical condition of the cooling tower is adequate
• Chemicals are bunded to ensure water pollution does not occur
• The operating and maintenance manuals are up to date and are available onsite

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in warning letters, improvement notices, or penalty infringement notices. Council's Environmental Health Officer can order a cooling tower system to be shut down if it poses an immediate public health risk.

The Public Health Regulation 2022 requires a risk management approach for the maintenance and operation of cooling water systems in New South Wales. The Regulation sets out six key safeguards that building occupiers are required to ensure are in place for their cooling water system.

1. Risk assessment and the preparation of a Risk Management Plan (RMP) every 5 years (or more frequently if required).
2. Annual independent auditing.
3. Providing certificates of RMP completion and audit completion to Council.
4. Sampling and testing for Legionella and heterotrophic colony count.
5. Immediate notification of high levels of Legionella (≥1,000 cfu/mL) or heterotrophic colony count (≥5,000,000 cfu/mL) to Council.
6. Displaying unique identification numbers on all cooling towers provided by Council.

Further guidance on Legionella control in cooling water systems can be accessed on theNSW Health Website.

A range of resources have been developed by NSW Health to assist cooling tower owners and operators in complying with public health requirements. These can be accessed and downloaded from the NSW Health Website.

• Approved forms and tools - Legionella control
• guidelines-legionella-control.pdf
• Legionnaires disease

For more information, contact Council’s Senior Environmental Health Officer 9748 9999