Legionnaires Disease is an infection of the lungs caused by breathing in Legionella bacteria
While Legionella bacteria are naturally present at low levels in the environment, they have the ability to grow rapidly to dangerous levels in poorly managed cooling towers (used to cool large buildings) and warm water systems (used to provide instantaneous warm water).
City of Canterbury Bankstown 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:
- AS/NZS 3666.1:2011 - Part 1: Design, installation and commissioning
- AS/NZS 3666.2:2011 - Part 2: Operation and maintenance
- AS/NZS 3666.3:2011 - Part 3: Performance-based maintenance of cooling water systems
There are over 200 registered cooling towers and warm water systems operating within Canterbury-Bankstown.
Inspections of cooling towers are carried out by Council's Environmental Health Officers 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 Officers ensure 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 penalty infringement notices. Council's Environmental Health Officers 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.
- Risk assessment and the preparation of a Risk Management Plan (RMP) every 5 years (or more frequently if required).
- Annual independent auditing.
- Providing certificates of RMP completion and audit completion to Council.
- Sampling and testing for Legionella and heterotrophic colony count.
- Immediate notification of high levels of Legionella (≥1,000 cfu/mL) or heterotrophic colony count (≥5,000,000 cfu/mL) to Council.
- Displaying unique identification numbers on all cooling towers provided by Council.
Further guidance on Legionella control in cooling water systems can be accessed on the NSW 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.
For more information, contact