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Legionella bacteria including Legionella pneumophila are naturally present in the environment and can be found in all water bodies and soils. Cooling towers provide ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria to multiply to significant numbers. The operation of cooling tower systems generate aerosols, which will distribute Legionella bacteria present. People can then inhale the aerosols containing the Legionella bacteria, which can lead to an infection known as Legionellosis (includes Legionnaires' Disease).

The Victorian Government has developed a comprehensive strategy for landowners and managers of cooling towers in order to reduce the incidence of Legionellosis cases. This includes a strengthened regulatory framework, increased maintenance requirements and new legal responsibilities.

The Building (Legionella) Act 2000 requires the owner of the land on which there is a cooling tower system to:

• Register each cooling tower system with the Building Control Commission annually
   
• Develop a Risk Management Plan  for every cooling tower system on the site
  
  The undertaking of a detailed Risk Assessment is required to determine actual risks associated with the installed system. The risk assessment will identify the risks in five key critical risk areas:
   
  • Stagnant Water
  • Nutrient Growth
  • Poor Water Quality
  • Deficiencies in the cooling tower system
  • Location and Access of the cooling tower

  The Risk Management Plan will address the critical risks identified in the Risk Assessment and include details on the actions required and taken to treat the critical risks.
   

• Review the Risk Management Plan
  
  The Risk Management Plan must be reviewed and updated at least once a year. This is to ensure that the risks identified in the original Risk Assessment are being treated and that there is no increase in risks from the cooling tower system. This review should be done before the Risk Management Audit.
   

• Audit the Risk Management Plan
  
  This audit provides independent confirmation that the Risk Management Plan addresses the five critical risk areas and confirmation that your plan is being implemented. Audits can only be conducted by someone who has been certified as an approved auditor by the Victorian Department of Human Services. Your Risk Management Plan must be audited in the three months before the registration of the cooling tower system is due to expire and annually each following year.