Cooling tower water treatment FAQs

We design and run the treatment programme, supply and maintain the dosing equipment, carry out monitoring and sampling, clean and disinfect the system, and keep the records up to date. In short, we help you meet your duties under ACOP L8 and HSG274 Part 1.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and COSHH set the general duties. ACOP L8 explains how to control Legionella, and HSG274 Part 1 gives the technical guidance for evaporative cooling systems. The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 require you to notify the local authority of wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers on your site.

Yes, if you have a wet cooling tower or evaporative condenser, you need to notify the local authority in writing under the 1992 Notification Regulations, and tell them if a unit is taken out of use for good. Your council will have a form for it.

HSG274 Part 1 says cooling towers should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year. Your risk assessment may call for more frequent cleaning.

At least quarterly for cooling systems, plus more often in certain situations, such as at commissioning or after a positive result. Dip slides for general bacteria should be done at least weekly.

You resample, review your controls and risk assessment and, depending on the count, may need to disinfect the system. We'll help you work through it and record every step. See our positive result response page.

Yes. Evaporative condensers carry a similar risk and need the same approach: treatment, monitoring, cleaning, risk assessment and records.

Nationwide. We specialise in London and the Home Counties and travel further afield for clients with sites across the UK.

At a UKAS-accredited laboratory. We take the samples, send them off and explain the results when they come back.

Yes. Lots of sites split the work, with their own team doing the weekly checks and us handling the programme, chemistry, lab samples, cleaning and records. We'll train your team if needed.

Yes. We start with a review of your programme, dosing equipment and log book so nothing gets missed, then agree a handover date.

It depends on the size and number of systems, how often we visit and what's included. We'll look at your site and give you a clear, itemised quote. No obligation.