In late August, New York City health officials reported a surge of Legionnaires’ disease cases in the Bronx and Central Harlem. While they are still investigating all the details, the likely source is cooling towers that facilities have not adequately maintained. These tragic headlines remind us of the serious public health risks associated with building water systems and why owners and facility managers must maintain them properly to protect building occupants while avoiding legal action.
Why Cooling Towers Pose a Risk for Legionella
Cooling towers provide an ideal environment for Legionella bacteria to thrive. Warm water, combined with organic matter, biofilm, and scale buildup, creates conditions that allow bacteria to multiply. When cooling towers release tiny water droplets into the air, they can carry Legionella bacteria into surrounding areas, putting building occupants and nearby communities at risk.
For commercial buildings such as hospitals, hotels, office towers, or data centers, this risk is more than a safety issue. Outbreaks can lead to lawsuits, reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, and costly shutdowns. One hotel in the Atlanta area suffered significant challenges as a result of a 2019 outbreak.
The Maintenance Challenge
Even when building managers understand the risks, proper cooling tower maintenance can be challenging:
- Chemical overuse or underuse: Chemicals may kill bacteria, but they often lead to corrosion, scaling, and environmental concerns.
- Biofilm resistance: Legionella thrives inside biofilms that standard chemical treatments struggle to penetrate.
- Operational disruption: Frequent cleanings and shutdowns to treat towers can result in downtime and increased expenses.
The reality is that many facilities rely on reactive measures instead of implementing proactive solutions.
How HydroFLOW Helps Mitigate Legionella Risk
HydroFLOW is a proven physical water conditioning system that uses a unique electric field to prevent scale buildup, disperse biofilm, and control bacteria in water systems. Unlike traditional methods, HydroFLOW works continuously and non-invasively, with no added chemicals or wasted water.
For cooling towers, HydroFLOW delivers several advantages:
- Biofilm control: By disrupting the sticky matrix where Legionella thrives, HydroFLOW reduces the bacterial load in tower water.
- Scale prevention: Protects equipment from calcium deposits, improving heat transfer and efficiency.
- Reduced chemical reliance: Lowers operational costs and environmental impact.
- Continuous protection: Works 24/7 without system shutdowns or manual intervention.
Building a Safer, More Reliable Water System
Facility managers don’t have to wait for regulators or outbreaks to act. Proactive water safety management is both a compliance responsibility and a wise investment in protecting building occupants, guests, and staff.
Southeast Pump & Equipment partners with building owners, engineers, and contractors to implement HydroFLOW water conditioning for cooling towers and other critical systems. This solution not only improves efficiency and extends equipment life but also helps mitigate the risk of Legionnaires’ disease before it becomes a headline.
What Should You Do Next?
If your facility operates cooling towers, now is the time to review your maintenance strategy. Over time, this system can pay for itself while mitigating your risk for Legionnaires’ exposure. Ask us how to do it and contact Southeast Pump & Equipment to discover how HydroFLOW water conditioning can minimize Legionella risks, enhance efficiency, and protect your building’s reputation.
