Changes to the management of cooling water systems
The Public Health Regulation 2012 (the Regulation) was amended on 10 August 2018 with new requirements in relation to the management of cooling water systems in NSW.
These amendments aim to further reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks associated with contamination of cooling towers. The amendments were developed in consultation with a range of experts from local government, industry, engineering and public health sectors.
This amendment supplements the amendment that commenced on 1 January 2018, which introduced monthly testing of cooling water systems, and notification of reportable test results to local government authorities.
The Regulation introduces six safeguards for the prevention of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks from cooling water systems:
1. Risk assessment of Legionella contamination, documented in a Risk Management
Plan (RMP) ” every five years (or more frequently if required)
2. Independent auditing of compliance with the RMP and Regulation ” every year
3. Providing certificates of RMP completion and audit completion to the local
government authority
4. Sampling and testing for Legionella and heterotrophic colony count ” every month
5. Notifying reportable laboratory test results (Legionella count 1000 cfu/mL or
heterotrophic colony count ,?5,000,000 cfu/mL) to the local government authority
6. Displaying unique identification numbers on all cooling towers.
A suite of supporting material for a range of stakeholders is available on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.qov.au/environment/legionellacontrol/.
This includes:
Guidelines for Legionella Control in Cooling Water Systems ” which interprets the Regulation and provides practice guidance to all stakeholders
Factsheets ” which provide an overview of the Regulation, managing cooling water systems over their lifecycle, and roles and responsibilities of different stakeholder groups
Approved forms ” which are required to be used by occupiers and their delegates responsible for managing cooling water systems
Training program ” online and face to face training has been developed in conjunction with TAFE NSW and is expected to be available later in August 2018
Applications for approval to be an independent auditor must be made to the Secretary of NSW Health. The requirements and application process will be finalised and updated shortly on the NSW Health website.