*********************************************************
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (September 7) announced the latest statistics for Legionella bacteria following sampling tests at selected fresh water cooling towers.
In August, the EMSD tested 81 water samples collected from cooling towers in 60 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. The six samples were collected from cooling towers at 16 Sheung Fung Street, Fung Wong San Tsuen, Wong Tai Sin; Lucky Plaza Shopping Centre, 1-15 Wang Pok Street, Sha Tin; Shui Sum Industrial Building, 8-10 Kwai Sau Road, Kwai Chung; Block A, Wah Shing Building, 211 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan; and 18 and 22 Luen Shing Street, Fanling.
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 Lucky Plaza Shopping Centre, Sha Tin; Shui Sum Industrial Building, Kwai Chung; Block A, Wah Shing Building, Tsuen Wan; and 18 Luen Shing Street, Fanling, has already been completed by their owners, while the cooling tower at Fung Wong San Tsuen, Wong Tai Sin, has been demolished by the owner. Disinfection in the remaining case at 22 Luen Shing Street, Fanling, is being arranged by the owner. Details of the six cases in August 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/Friday, September 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:55
NNNN
