The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 7) announced that the department tested 115 water samples collected from cooling towers in 75 buildings during its routine inspections in July 2024. Seven samples were detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.
The cooling towers in which the seven samples were collected are located at 62 Fuk Hi Street, Yuen Long; Section A of Lot 407 in DD 130 and adjoining government land, Tuen Mun; Star House, Salisbury Road, Yau Tsim Mong; Wah Hing Industrial Mansions, 36 Tai Yau Street, Wong Tai Sin; 66 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po; and 308 Castle Peak Road, Sham Shui Po. The EMSD has issued nuisance notices under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to the owners of the cooling towers requiring appropriate disinfection work to be done. Disinfection of the cooling towers in these cases has already been completed by the owners. Details of the case can be found in Annex 2.
The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).
The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they 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 in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.
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