City Council Strengthens Cooling Tower Safety Measures
On Thursday, the City Council passed a new bill aimed at bolstering testing protocols for cooling towers to combat Legionnaires’ disease. This decision follows a significant outbreak in Harlem over the summer that resulted in 114 cases, 90 hospitalizations, and seven fatalities.
Under Intro 1390-A, building owners are now mandated to test for Legionella bacteria at least once a month during the warm season when cooling towers are operational.
The bill stipulates that these tests must be conducted by or under the guidance of a “qualified” professional.
Two cooling towers, one at Harlem Hospital and another at a construction site for the city’s public health lab, are thought to be among the contributors to the outbreak, leading to considerable embarrassment for city officials.
Numerous lawsuits claiming negligence have been filed against the city and the construction companies responsible for maintaining these cooling towers, thanks in part to civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton from the National Action Network.
“Legionella is preventable, and the city must ensure that every precaution is taken,” stated Council Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman prior to the vote.
She further emphasized that inspections would now be required monthly during operational periods, ensuring all were conducted or supervised by qualified professionals.
The recent outbreak in Harlem served as a stark reminder of the speed with which Legionella can spread if cooling towers are inadequately maintained.
This legislation aligns with changes announced by Mayor Eric Adams and Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse, who have directed building owners to conduct Legionella testing every 30 days while towers are in use, rather than the previous 90-day interval.
The department also added inspectors to oversee cooling towers and plumbing systems after experiencing staff reductions last year.
Interestingly, a more extensive bill that would have required broader testing of water systems—beyond just cooling towers—was not brought before the council.
