Regulations in New York City & State
In August 2015, due to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in the South Bronx, New York City and New York State implemented new regulations governing the treatment of cooling towers. These rules have very specific requirements regarding the registration, inspection, cleaning, disinfection and testing of all cooling towers. Additionally, all building owners are required to certify annually that they are in full compliance with the law. This certification period runs every year from November 1 through October 31 of the following year.
New York City
New York City passed Local Law 77 which became effective on August 15, 2015. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) also created their own set of rules on how to implement this law which can be found in Chapter 8 of Title 24 of the Rules of the City of New York. Inspectors are currently out in the City, stopping in at all locations with cooling towers to make sure that all building owners have registered their towers and are in full compliance with the newly enacted regulations.
New York State
New York State’s regulations regarding the treatment of cooling towers can be found in Title 10 of the New York Codes of Rules and Regulations (10 NYCRR), Subpart 4-1 Cooling Towers. These rules have been put into effect statewide, including New York City.
Many of these new rules can be found in both the City and State Regulations. Briefly these include:
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Registration of the cooling tower(s). Towers located in the City must be registered with both the City and the State.
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Legionella testing of each cooling tower every 90 days
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At least 2 cleanings each year
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Inspections every 90 days by a qualified person
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Implementation of a Maintenance Program and Plan (MPP)
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Onsite records of the above kept for a 3-year period
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Annual certification that all the above has been done for each certification period
New York City has additionally required that the following rules also be followed:
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Daily, automatic chemical treatment of the system water
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Weekly routine and microbial monitoring
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Securely affixing the NYCDOB cooling tower registration number on each cooling tower
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Summertime Hyperhalogenation performed between July 1 and August 31
Call and speak with a NuChem Representative today to schedule your free site inspection and quote. We’re here to
make sure you are in full compliance with all the new regulations.