A recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the Melbourne CBD is being investigated by the DHHS to determine the source of the outbreak.

Land owners with a cooling tower system on their property and businesses that own or operate a cooling tower system; need to understand and be aware of their responsibilities & risks under the Victorian law.

Owners of any land on which there is a cooling tower system must ensure that the cooling tower system is registered with the Department of Health and that the cooling tower systems comply with all requirements of the Act. Ultimately, responsibility rests with the owner of the land and the businesses involved to maintain a safe environment for staff, contractors, customers and the general public.

Routine Service and Testing of Cooling Towers

  • Cooling tower systems are serviced at least once each month to check that the system is operating without defect
  • At least once each month, a sample of the recirculating water is taken and tested by a laboratory for total bacteria count
  • At least once ever three months a sample of the recirculating water of the cooling tower system is taken to a laboratory for testing and reporting for Legionella

Control and performance Measures

Reliable management systems must be developed to ensure that the cooling tower system is under effective and consistent control.

Responsibility of Land Owners

  • Register each cooling tower system with the Department of Health. Registration periods are 1, 2 or 3 years.
  • Prepare and implement an RMP (Risk Management Plan) for every cooling tower system on site which addresses:
    • stagnant water, including lack of water recirculation and the presence of dead-end pipe work;
    • nutrient growth, including presence of biofilm and algae, water temperature and exposure of water to direct sunlight;
    • poor water quality in the cooling tower system, including solids, Legionella and high levels of microorganisms;
    • location of and public access to, the cooling tower or system, including potential environmental contamination and exposure of people to the aerosols of the system.
  • Have the RMP audited every year to ensure all critical risks are addressed including evidence of the plan being implemented
  • Review the RMP at least once every year

The registration holder must advise the department within 30 days of the:

  • addition or removal of a cooling tower system
  • decommission of a cooling tower system
  • relocation of a system

Responsibility of the person who owns, manages or controls a cooling tower system

  • System must be maintained and tested;
  • The water in the system is continuously treated to control the growth of microorganisms;
  • A chlorine biodespersant is added to the recirculating water of the system, and the system is disinfected, cleaned and re-disinfected at least every 6 months;
  • The system must be inspected at least monthly;
  • The water in the system is tested for bacteria count monthly and Legionella every three months;
  • Maintenance and testing records are kept for 12 months.

Plumbing Regulations

The Plumbing Regulations set out requirements for the installation of cooling tower systems and licensing requirements for plumbers.

Note:

The Department of Health is responsible for the inspection and registration of cooling tower systems.

The VBA is responsible for the registration and licensing of personnel working within the Scope of Mechanical Services Work for cooling towers.

Resources:

Legal Responsibilities ( DHHS) | Legionella Risk Management Guides

Technical Solutions Sheet (VBA) | Mechanical Services Cooling Towers