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Cooling Tower Registration and Maintenance

New Summertime Disinfection Requirement

Learn about the new summertime disinfection requirement (PDF) for cooling tower systems.

Free Trainings

Property managers and building operators can attend free, two-hour trainings to learn how to comply with the City’s cooling tower maintenance laws.

If you are interested in hosting a training session, email CTAcademy@health.nyc.gov, with the subject line "Hosting Request”.


In response to the 2015 outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease that was attributed to cooling towers, the City requires all building owners to register, maintain, and test their cooling towers, fluid coolers, and evaporative condensers.

Registration and Annual Certification

Building owners and property managers are required to register cooling towers, fluid coolers and evaporative condensers with the City. If you own or manage cooling towers, fluid coolers, or evaporative condensers, you must register them through Cooling Tower Web Portal.

In addition to initial registration, building owners must file an Annual Certification each year attesting that all cooling equipment was inspected, tested, cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the Maintenance Program and Plan (MPP). The certification must document any lapses in compliance with the MPP, as well as the corrective actions taken to address the deficiencies. Registered users can upload their annual certifications to the Cooling Tower Web Portal.

Failure to register or upload an Annual Certification may result in a fine issued by the Department of Buildings.

Enter the Cooling Tower Web Portal

Maintenance

Building owners and property managers must follow the cooling tower maintenance and testing regulations — Chapter 8 of the Rules of the City of New York (PDF), in compliance with Local Law 77 of 2015 (PDF).

Maintenance Program and Plan

As a building owner, you must retain a qualified person to develop and implement a Maintenance Program and Plan (MPP) for your cooling tower system. The MPP describes procedures for describing monitoring, cleaning, disinfection, and all other activities taken to prevent and control Legionella growth.

Learn more about the City’s MPP requirements.

Inspecting and Disinfecting

Building owners are required to ensure cooling tower maintenance and management activities are conducted appropriately. You must log and maintain all records regarding cooling tower system:

  • Routine maintenance
  • Compliance inspections
  • Observed deficiencies
  • Corrective actions
  • Water treatment
  • Test results
  • Cleaning
  • Disinfection

Learn more about inspecting and disinfecting cooling towers.

Compliance and Enforcement

The City conducts yearly inspections of cooling tower systems, Maintenance Program and Plans, and operational records. You can look up inspection results of cooling tower systems by building address or building identification number (BIN).

You can learn more about the city's cooling tower inspection process here:

If an inspection finds potential violations, building owners may receive summonses subject to fines.

Additional Resources

More Information