The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (October 8) announced that the department tested 115 water samples collected from cooling towers in 62 buildings in its routine inspections in September 2026. Three 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.

     Two of the cooling towers in which the samples were collected are located at Pacific Trade Centre, 2 Kai Hing Road, Kwun Tong, and one is located at Luk Hop Industrial Building, 8 Luk Hop Street, Wong Tai Sin. 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 have already been completed by the owners. Details of the cases 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).
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     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.

Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00

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