In reaction to an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in the South Bronx, New York City has issued a new law requiring all building owners to register their cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and fluid containers with the Department of Buildings. Legionnaire’s disease is a potentially life threatening type of pneumonia caused the bacteria legionella. Several cooling tours in the South Bronx tested positive for legionella. Public water for drinking and bathing has fortunately remained unaffected by the outbreak. This law was enacted to ensure public safety by allowing the DOB to monitor the condition and maintenance of this equipment.
This law has been effective since August 18th, and owners have within 30 days of its enactment to register all existing equipment, and new equipment must be registered prior to operation. Equipment can be registered online through the NYC Cooling Tower Registration Portal. Owners will be responsible for annually certifying that their cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and fluid containers follow the regulations of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and that a maintenance plan is in order.
Furthermore, Commissioner of the DOHMH released an Order on August 6th. It mandated that building owners must have their cooling towers disinfected within 14 days of receipt of notice, of if disinfection has already occurred in the past 30 days, supply proof of the inspection. The Commissioner also ordered that records must be kept of all inspections and disinfection of cooling towers, and must be made available if a city official requests it. Demonstration of compliance of this order can be done through the NYC Cooling Tower Registration Portal.
To read the full Commissioner’s Order, click here.
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