Cooling towers and warm water systems
NSW Health takes a performance-based, risk management approach to regulating cooling towers and warm water systems to reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria. Owners and occupiers play a key role in preventing Legionnaires’ disease, a serious lung infection caused by inhaling airborne Legionella. While the bacteria occur naturally in low concentrations, it can multiply rapidly in poorly maintained systems.
Regulatory requirements
Under the Public Health Act 2010, Public Health Regulation 2022 and AS/NZS 3666, all regulated systems must be properly installed, operated and maintained to ensure public safety.
Types of regulated systems
- Cooling water system: A system that includes a cooling tower, associated equipment and pipework used to lower water temperature through evaporation.
- Cooling tower: A device designed to cool water or other liquids by evaporative cooling, or an evaporative condenser containing a refrigerant or heat exchanger.
- Warm water system: A system designed to heat and deliver water at a temperature below 60°C at each outlet point.
Notification and registration
Owners and occupiers must notify Council when:
- Installing or decommissioning a cooling or warm water system
- Changing occupier or system details
New systems must be registered with Council within one month of installation or any change to system details, using Approved Form 6.
All approved forms can be found on the NSW Health website.
Council maintains a register of all cooling and warm water systems in the Lismore local government area.
Cooling Water System requirements
Owners and occupiers of cooling water systems must meet specific safeguards to prevent Legionella contamination.
Risk Management Plan (RMP)
An RMP must be prepared every five years (or more frequently if required). The plan assesses the risk of Legionella contamination and outlines control measures. (Approved Form 1)
All approved forms can be found on the NSW Health website.
Independent Audit
An Independent Auditor must assess compliance with the RMP and regulatory requirements each year. (Approved Form 2)
All approved forms can be found on the NSW Health website.
Submission of certificates
Certificates of RMP and audit completion must be submitted to Council within seven days of completion.
Monthly testing
Monthly testing for Legionella and heterotrophic colony count is required, including inspection, maintenance, and chemical analysis. (Approved Form 3)
All approved forms can be found on the NSW Health website.
Notification of high test results
If Legionella levels exceed 1,000 cfu/mL or heterotrophic colony count exceeds 5,000,000 cfu/mL, Council must be notified within 24 hours of receiving laboratory results. (Approved Form 4)
All approved forms can be found on the NSW Health website.
Identification number
Each cooling tower must display a Council-issued unique identification number within 30 days of installation. The number must be A5 size or larger, durable, and clearly visible.
Council register and compliance
Council maintains a register of all regulated systems, conducts inspections, investigates high test results and audit non-compliances, identifies unregistered systems, and supports NSW Health in outbreak investigations. Registration and inspection fees apply and are listed in Council’s current fees and charges.