Department of Health

Key messages

  • With appropriate management controls, alternative water sources can be used to supply or supplement cooling tower systems.
  • In using an alternative water supply in a cooling tower system, the potential for physical or chemical water quality aspects affecting or damaging the system, for example through corrosion or scaling, should also be considered.
  • The risk of contaminants in the alternative water supply causing harm to humans can be addressed by following the relevant guidance, as described on this page.

There are many legislative requirements relating to cooling towers operating in Victoria. There are requirements that relate to registration, maintenance, testing and the development and auditing of risk management plans.

Many businesses with cooling towers are now considering ways to help reduce drinking water consumption, by either:

  • using alternative water supplies in cooling tower systems
  • recycling cooling tower bleed or waste water (also known as 'industrial water') for other purposes.

These alternative supplies include roof-collected rainwater, stormwater, recycled water that has been derived from greywater or sewage, and industrial waste water.

Alternative water supplies in cooling towers

With appropriate management controls, alternative water sources can be used to supply or supplement cooling tower systems. The controls required will depend on the source of water used, and will need to address 2 key risk areas:

  1. The alternative water supply enhancing the growth of Legionella in the cooling tower system.
  2. Contaminants such as pathogens in the alternative water supply causing harm in individuals who are exposed to the water (either directly or via aerosols).

Responsibilities and risk management planning for Legionella

Owners and managers of cooling tower systems have responsibilities under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019. Of particular importance is the requirement to develop a risk management plan (RMP) that addresses nutrient growth and poor water quality.

We have developed a Guide to developing cooling tower risk management plans to assist industry in managing potential Legionella risks in cooling tower systems.

The RMP should include a specific assessment of the alternative water supply. It should be noted that using water from an alternative supply may result in an increased risk classification and subsequently change the operational program that is required.

The following tools and tips may also be useful:

Rainwater and stormwater

The use of roof-collected rainwater in cooling tower systems is addressed in the guideline Rainwater use in urban communities.

The National Water Quality Management StrategyExternal Link provides a best practice framework for assessing and managing stormwater quality for recycling.

There are no specific regulatory or approval requirements for the use of rainwater or stormwater in cooling tower systems (aside from the general regulatory requirements relating to all cooling tower systems described above).

If stormwater is being considered for a specific cooling tower system, it is recommended that a suitable consultant or other appropriately-trained individual is engaged to undertake a specific assessment in accordance with these guidelines.

Recycled water from sewage or greywater

Recycled sewage that meets the water quality standards described in the Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) Victorian guideline for water recyclingExternal Link is considered to be of a suitable quality for use in cooling tower systems. More information about these 2021 guidelines can be found on the EPA’s Guidance for water recycling in VictoriaExternal Link website page.

Proposals to recycle greywater for cooling tower system use may need a specific risk assessment to identify appropriate water quality standards. This can be undertaken using the principles in the National Water Quality Management Strategy. Email the department via legionella@health.vic.gov.au.

In some cases an approval for the treatment and use of recycled sewage and greywater is required. You should contact the EPAExternal Link to discuss any approval requirements.

Use of cooling tower waste water

Bleed or waste water from cooling towers can sometimes be used for other purposes, such as toilet flushing, garden watering or other industrial processes. In some cases an approval is required for these types of industrial water recycling projects - contact the EPAExternal Link for further information.

A risk assessment should always be undertaken to determine if any contaminants in the water (such as microorganisms or chemicals) will pose a risk to human health or the environment.

There is currently no guidance that is specific to cooling tower systems to assist in undertaking this type of risk assessment. However, the principles in the National Water Quality Management StrategyExternal Link can be used.

It is recommended that a suitable consultant or other appropriately-trained individual is engaged to undertake a specific risk assessment if the use of cooling tower waste water is being considered.

Reviewed 10 October 2023

Health.vic

Contact us

Our phone service is available Monday to Friday, from 9.00am to 1.00pm. Postal address: GPO Box 4057, Melbourne Vic 3001

Legionella team

Was this page helpful?