Latest sampling results for Legionella bacteria at fresh water cooling towers announced

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (July 9) announced the latest statistics for Legionella bacteria following sampling tests at selected fresh water cooling towers.

In June, the EMSD tested 73 water samples collected from cooling towers in 65 buildings. Five samples were detected with a Legionella bacteria count (LBC) at or above the upper threshold, which is 1,000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The EMSD collected the samples from cooling towers at 314 Castle Peak Road, 192 Apliu Street and 124 Pei Ho Street in Sham Shui Po; Freder Centre, 68 Sung Wong Toi Road, Kowloon City; and Kimberley House, 35 and 35A Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. The EMSD has issued nuisance notices under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to the owners of these cooling towers requiring appropriate disinfection work to be taken. Disinfection of the cooling towers in these five cases has already been completed by owners of the towers.

The EMSD publishes on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ct_stat.shtml) on a half-monthly basis the latest Legionella bacteria statistics following sampling tests at fresh water cooling towers. Also listed are any buildings where the LBC was found in the fresh water cooling tower to be equal to or above the upper threshold during the preceding three-month period, and which were thus served with nuisance notices.

A department spokesman said, "Fresh water cooling tower owners have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality of their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Water-cooled Air Conditioning Systems issued by the EMSD in order to prevent the proliferation of Legionella bacteria."

Ends/Monday, July 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:01

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