EMSD announces latest sampling results for Legionella bacteria at fresh water cooling towers
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     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (February 10) announced that the department tested 77 water samples collected from cooling towers in 60 buildings in January this year and none of them were detected to have a Legionella bacteria count (LBC) 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 EMSD also announced the locations of buildings which were served with nuisance notices during the preceding three-month period as the LBC was found in the fresh water cooling towers to be equal to or above the upper threshold. Details 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/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ct_stat.shtml).

    The EMSD reminds fresh water cooling tower owners 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 of their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Water-cooled Air Conditioning Systems issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.

Ends/Monday, February 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:09

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