New York City Requires Immediate Cooling Tower Registration

FMs and property owners in New York City are now required to disinfect all facility cooling towers before Aug. 27, according to an order from the NYC Health Commissioner. Managers will then be required to keep records of the inspection and disinfection of all cooling towers at the facility, to be produced if requested by City officials.

The new rules are coming as a result of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in the South Bronx, with some cooling towers testing positive for the bacteria. However, officials are quick to note that the city’s drinking water has not been affected and remains safe for use.

Additionally, the law has been updated to require cooling towers, fluid coolers, and evaporative condensers to be registered with the City, which must be performed by Sep. 17. FMs who have had their buildings’ cooling tower inspected and disinfected within the last 30 days are not required to undergo the process again, but records must be kept and produced upon request moving forward. Learn more about the new law and how to demonstrate compliance here.