Controlling Legionella In Cooling Towers And Condenser Water Systems

Legionella can be controlled in cooling towers and condenser water systems with four steps to reduce bacterial growth and improve the safety of building occupants.

No building should make people sick; however, due to poor planning, the water in cooling towers and condenser water systems can serve as the breeding ground for many bacteria. One of these is Legionella, which causes the deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks that are far too common in New York City.

How can this challenge be overcome? There are four steps to take to control Legionella growth in cooling towers and condenser water systems:

4 Steps to Control Legionella Growth

1. Regular maintenance: Cooling towers continuously wash the air as they operate and collect debris. The first step to remove what has settled in the cooling tower is regular maintenance.
2. Systematic water filtration:Even if regular maintenance of the cooling tower happens, dust and debris still enter. Therefore, water filtration inside the cooling tower must occur on a regular basis.
3. Water treatment: Water treatment is also an essential component, and depends on the application and type of system, as well as the location.
4. Continuous monitoring: Continuous automatic cooling tower system monitoring and commissioning are necessary for both enhancing water quality and performance.

In addition, by controlling Legionella growth in cooling towers and condenser water systems, complying with New York City’s Local Law 77 (in relation to regulation of cooling towers) is simple and straightforward. This will ensure that the propagation of bacteria, and therefore deadly diseases, is minimized, thus ensuring the safety of building occupants.