Cooling Tower Legionella Control: A Guide for Facility Owners

by Ben Frieders

Cooling Tower Legionella Testing

Cooling tower Legionella control is necessary so the Legionella bacteria does not grow and spread within the towers. Legionella bacteria are a type of bacteria that can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious lung infection. Cooling towers are one of the most common places where Legionella bacteria can grow. This is because cooling towers are large, open structures that contain water and a warm, humid environment, which are ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria to grow.

If you own or operate a facility with a cooling tower, it is important to take steps to control Legionella bacteria and prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease. Here are some tips for cooling tower legionella control:

Clean and disinfect your cooling tower regularly. This should be done at least twice a year, or more often if your cooling tower is located in a warm climate. When cleaning your cooling tower, be sure to remove all debris and sediment, and use a disinfectant that is effective against Legionella bacteria.
Maintain proper water quality in your cooling tower. The water in your cooling tower should be kept at a temperature below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also monitor the pH and chlorine levels of the water, and make adjustments as needed.
Install a drift eliminator. A drift eliminator is a device that helps to prevent water droplets from being released into the air from your cooling tower. This can help to reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria being spread through the air.
Educate your employees about Legionnaires’ disease. Make sure your employees know about the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, and how to prevent it. You should also provide them with information about how to clean and disinfect cooling towers safely.

By following these tips, you can help to reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria growing and spreading in your cooling tower. This will help to protect your employees, customers, and visitors from Legionnaires’ disease.

Additional Tips for Cooling Tower Legionella Control

In addition to the tips listed above, there are a few other things you can do to help control Legionella bacteria in your cooling tower. These include:

Locate your cooling tower away from building air intakes. This will help to prevent Legionella bacteria from being drawn into the building’s ventilation system.
Install a biocide treatment system. A biocide treatment system can help to kill Legionella bacteria in your cooling tower water.
Monitor your cooling tower for signs of Legionella growth. This includes looking for things like algae growth, biofilm formation, and cloudy water.
Have your cooling tower inspected by a qualified professional on a regular basis. This will help to ensure that your cooling tower is properly maintained and that Legionella bacteria are being controlled effectively.

By following these tips, you can help to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease at your facility. Read more about Legionella water treatment services from ChemREADY by visiting our Legionella overview page that has full offerings to protect you and your facility:

Need Someone To Handle Your Testing?

Contact Our Experts

About The Author

Ben Frieders is the Business Development and Marketing Manager at ChemREADY, an industrial water treatment company, where he focuses on driving growth through strategic marketing, business development, and acquisitions. A former U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer with a background in nuclear operations, Ben brings a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership to the water treatment industry. Certified in ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management, he is a recognized expert in water quality standards, regulatory compliance, and Legionella risk management. Passionate about scaling businesses and optimizing systems, Ben combines data-driven strategies with a hands-on approach to help organizations achieve sustainable growth.

Connect On Linkedin