A new interim Standard for Legionella control in cooling towers for power stations is being developed. Poorly maintained cooling towers in building air-conditioning systems have been identified as a source of outbreaks of infection. They provide an environment in which Legionella can proliferate and become airborne in droplets of water that may be inhaled. Procedures and practices that have been established to reduce the risk f infection from these sources require decontamination of the cooling water systems using prescribed chemical treatment, shut down and cleaning of the cooling towers and associated systems and have been outlined in the AS/NZS 3666 series of Standards. Due to factors such as continuous plant operation and frequent unavoidable presence of Legionella in the external water sources, such requirements are not appropriate to apply to the major cooling tower water systems used in power stations.
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