Cooling Towers Chlorination

Cooling tower water disinfection must meet demands that differ from those of drinking water disinfection and swimming pool water disinfection. Disinfectants may not affect the system and must remove microorganisms that can affect the system, as well. Cooling tower water is not used as drinking water. As a result, it does not need to meet drinking water quality demands.
Work-related exposure to cooling tower water or water vapour may occur. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms in cooling tower water, such as Legionella bacteria, must be deactivated.

In order to minimise the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and comply with the requirements of ACoP L8 a cooling tower chemical treatment should be performed in order to clean and disinfect the system regularly to remove fouling that can provide a growth environment for Legionella bacteria. The normal process involves Cooling Tower Chlorination incorporating additional bio-dispersant, physical cleaning and then a further post-chlorination before the system is returned safely to service. Where practical and within the agreed scope of work, the cooling tower packing may be removed for additional inspection and cleaning.