Cooling Towers & Warm Water Systems:
Cooling Towers and warm water systems must be managed safely in order to prevent the growth and transmission of Legionella bacteria.
Lane Cove Council is required to maintain a register of cooling towers and warm water systems within the Lane Cove LGA in line with the Public Health Act 2010. If Council's Environmental Health Officer identifies non-compliance of the requirements for regulated systems under the Public Health Act 2010, they can order building occupiers/owners to comply with the requirements.
Additionally, officers can conduct inspections of premises on which regulated systems are located and charge fees.
Failure to comply with the requirements under the act can result in legal notices, orders, penalty infringements (fines), and/or legal proceedings against a building occupier or owner.
Responsibilities of building-occupiers:
The owner/occupier of a premise where a regulated cooling/warm water system is installed must:
1. Register their system with Lane Cove Council using the registration form (below) and pay the required fee.
2. Install, operate and maintain the systems and records in accordance with the Public Health Act 2010, Public Health Regulation 2012 and Australian Standard 3666 series.
There are statutory penalties for those who fail to comply with legislation. The responsible person is guilty of an offence if their tower is not registered with Council or has not been maintained as required.
Building owners/occupiers must also advise Council if there is a change of owner or occupier for a building on which a system is located, if the system is modified or if the contact details for the building manager changes
What is legionnaires disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria that may also cause a flu-like condition called Pontiac fever. Legionnaires' disease occurs when someone inhales the Legionella organism and it penetrates deep into their lungs, possibly through a contaminated aerosol from a cooling tower.
The disease has the potential to affect everyone, but vulnerable groups are more at risk. This includes older people with existing health problems such as respiratory disease, people with autoimmune diseases, people taking immune-suppressant drugs and people who are heavy smokers.
Legionella can be controlled by proper water treatment procedures, regular cleaning and maintenance, and applying risk management.
Visit NSW Ministry of Health for more information and relevant legislative documents or call Council's Environmental Health Officer on 02 99113626
Cooling Tower and Regulated System Registration Form.
Completed forms can be emailed to: service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
