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The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (October 8) announced the latest statistics for Legionella bacteria following sampling tests at selected fresh water cooling towers.
In September, the EMSD tested 77 water samples collected from cooling towers in 71 buildings. Six samples were detected to have a Legionella bacteria count (LBC) at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. These six samples were collected from cooling towers at Universal Industrial Centre, 23-25 Shan Mei Street, Fo Tan; 36 On Fu Road, Tai Po; 15-17 King Kwong Street, Happy Valley; Freder Centre, 3 Mok Cheong Street, To Kwa Wan; Tin Shing Building, 56 Junction Road, Kowloon City; and 44 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai.
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. Among them, disinfection of the cooling towers at Universal Industrial Centre, Fo Tan; 36 On Fu Road, Tai Po; and 15-17 King Kwong Street, Happy Valley, has already been completed by the owners. Disinfection in the remaining cases at Freder Centre, To Kwa Wan; Tin Shing Building, Kowloon City; and 44 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, is being arranged by the owners. Details of the six cases in September are available at
www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/e_download/pps/others/Building_List_CT_NN.pdf.¡@
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/Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:31
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