Cooling towers are a critical component of many buildings’ cooling systems, as they are the points where heat is dissipated into the atmosphere through an evaporative process. They can also be a source of Legionella exposure, and water demand and waste if not properly maintained. We have seen a rapid rise in Legionella cases in North America, and water utilities are deeply interested in reducing water demand and increasing water reuse.
To address the public health and sustainability nexus found within cooling tower systems, more than 20 public agencies from across North America participated in a year-long consensus building process led by NSF’s building water health team to dramatically improve water conservation and reduce exposure to Legionella bacteria from cooling tower systems.