Leigonnaires disease and cooling towers
If your premises has or operates a Cooling Tower or Evaporative
Condenser, it must be registered with the Local Authority. The
principle purpose for this notification process is to identify
where potential sources of legionnaires disease are located
and allow for easier identification, monitoring and inspection by
the enforcing authorities.
Legionellosis is the collective name given to the pneumonia-like
illness caused by legionella bacteria. This includes the most
serious legionnaires’ disease, as well as the similar but less
serious conditions of Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and
everyone is susceptible to infection. However, some people are at
higher risk, including:
- people over 45 years of age
- smokers and heavy drinkers
- people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney
- anyone with an impaired immune system
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related
bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes
and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. Over recent years there
have been a number of outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease associated
with wet cooling systems (cooling towers and evaporative
condensers), which have often resulted in serious cases of
infection and fatalities.
Where does it come from?
Legionella bacteria are widespread in natural water systems,
e.g. rivers and ponds. However, the conditions are rarely right for
people to catch the disease from these sources. Outbreaks of the
illness occur from exposure to legionella growing in purpose-built
systems where water is maintained at a temperature high enough to
encourage growth, e.g. cooling towers, evaporative condensers, spa
pools, and hot water systems used in all sorts of premises (work
How do people get it?
People can catch legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small
droplets of water, suspended in the air, containing the bacteria.
Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella,
- water temperature between 20–45 °C, which is suitable for
- creating and spreading breathable droplets of water, e.g.
aerosol created by a cooling tower, or water outlets stored and/or
re-circulated water a source of nutrients for the organism e.g.
presence of sludge, scale or fouling. While most cases of
legionnaires’ disease are the result of infections caught in the
UK, a number of cases occur abroad. Useful advice on travel can be
found from the European Working
Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI).
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are similar to those of flu, i.e. high temperature,
fever and chills, cough, muscle pains and headache. In a severe
case, there may also be pneumonia, and occasionally diarrhoea, as
well as signs of mental confusion. Legionnaires’ disease is not
known to spread from person to person.
How to control the risk of Legionnaires disease?
Advice on control measures can are outlined in Legionnaires' disease -
The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems
Registration of cooling towers and evaporative condensors
Do I need to make a Notification?
All premises where cooling towers
and evaporative condensers are situated must register with the
local authority under The Notification of Cooling Towers and
Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992.
Once registered are there conditions?
There are no conditions set for registered cooling towers and
evaporative condensers. The prime purpose of this is to identify
potential areas that could give rise to spread of infectious
disease, for example Legionella, and to ensure preventative
measures are taken to eliminate the risk of such infection arising
to employees and the public. There are requirements imposed on the
duty holder under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and
the associated Codes of Practices for management and maintenance of
How do I make an application and how much does it
There is no cost involved in
notifying the Council
Use the details at the side of the page to contact us and request a
notification form. On receipt of a notification, we will add the
details to the public register. Usually, there will be no further
requirement for us to contact you. This would only happen if
further clarification is required.
What information or evidence will I need to
Any information required to progress your application will be
requested by the relevant application form and may include
specifics about the water system such as diagram of the system
itself, details of the nominated person in control of the site or
premises and management plan. However, further information or
clarification may be requested but this will not normally affect
the notification process.
Are there/inspections or
Operators of installations should be aware that both the local
authority and the HSE will undertake a number of routine health and
safety inspection visits to their premises to ensure standards are
met overall, this will include the management of wet cooling
systems and will take enforcement action where appropriate.
All notifications are held on a public register and will remain
there until we are notified of any changes. The register can be
viewed by request at the Council Offices.
Scarborough Borough Council
Tel: 01723 232514