*********************************************************
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 7) announced the latest statistics for Legionella bacteria following sampling tests at selected fresh water cooling towers.
In July, the EMSD tested 95 water samples collected from cooling towers in 68 buildings. Six samples were detected with a Legionella bacteria count (LBC) at or above the upper threshold, which is 1,000 colony-forming units per millilitre. Among them, two came from Tak King Industrial Building, 27 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan. The remaining four samples came from Kam Man Fung Factory Building, 6 Hong Man Street, Chai Wan; Hong Man Industrial Centre, 2 Hong Man Street, Chai Wan; Block B, Fortune Factory Building, 40 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan; and Fung Wong San Tsuen, 3 Kam Fung Street, Wong Tai Sin.
The EMSD has issued nuisance notices under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to the owners of these cooling towers requiring appropriate disinfection work to be taken. Among them, disinfection of the cooling towers at Tak King Industrial Building, Hong Man Industrial Centre and Fortune Factory Building has already been completed by their owners, while the cooling tower at Kam Man Fung Factory Building is being demolished by the owner. Disinfection of the remaining case in Fung Wong San Tsuen is being arranged by the owner. Details of the six cases in July are available at
www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/e_download/pps/others/Building_List_CT_NN.pdf .
The EMSD publishes on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ct_stat.shtml) on a half-monthly basis the latest Legionella bacteria statistics following sampling tests at fresh water cooling towers. Also listed are any buildings where the LBC was found in the fresh water cooling tower to be equal to or above the upper threshold during the preceding three-month period, and which were thus served with nuisance notices.
A department spokesman said, "Fresh water cooling tower owners have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality of their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Water-cooled Air Conditioning Systems issued by the EMSD in order to prevent the proliferation of Legionella bacteria."
Ends/Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:01
NNNN
