On 14 December 2019, the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 (the regulations) replaced the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009.  Below are the changes that relate to cooling tower systems and Legionella risks in certain premises.

Cooling tower systems

The State Government of Victoria regulates cooling tower systems to reduce the risks associated with Legionella bacteria. The regulations help minimise the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and reduce service disruptions that impact on the community and businesses.

The changes:

  • require the responsible person to notify the Department of Health and Human Services within 24 hours of Legionella being detected above 1,000 cfu/ml in a sample of recirculating water (in addition to the existing requirement to notify the department when there are three consecutive detections of Legionella of any level)
  • introduce new offences for tampering with water samples and falsifying laboratory reports
  • improve consistency and clarity of terminology by:
    • using consistent terminology when referring to ‘samples’ to clarify that testing is required of recirculated water in cooling towers
    • referring, where relevant, to ‘cooling tower systems’ rather than ‘cooling towers’ to ensure that testing and regulatory requirements are applied to the entire system rather than a part of the system
  • clarify disinfection requirements to explicitly require cleaning of the interior of each cooling tower in the system
  • expand infringement penalties to most offences.

Legionella risks in certain premises (water delivery systems)

The State Government of Victoria regulates water delivery systems in certain premises to reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria, with an emphasis on premises where vulnerable populations are concentrated or facilities where cases of legionellosis have occurred.

The changes:

  • create a clearer definition of where regulations apply based on the function of the facility
  • introduce new offences for tampering with water samples and falsifying laboratory reports
  • remove the requirement to disinfect the entire water delivery system within 24 hours upon detection of Legionella.

For more information about the Regulation, click here