On 31 May 2000, the Hong Kong SAR Government, with the support of EMSD and other Government bureaux/departments, launched a pilot scheme on the wider use of fresh water for water-cooled air conditioning in non-domestic buildings in 6 designated areas in Hong Kong.

The Scheme is now operating on standing status from 1 June 2008.

Building owners in the designated areas are encouraged to take part in the Scheme. Please click here for more details on the updated location plans of the designated areas. Please click the scheme brochure [PDF format (926KB)] for the details of the Scheme and the requirements of application and operation of the Scheme and click here [PDF format (22KB)] for the process chart and latest forms and for participation in the Scheme.

For premises located outside the listed designated areas, applications for joining the Scheme for their fresh water cooling tower installations are also welcome. Addition /extension of designated areas will be considered as appropriate with regard to the applications.

To promote the proper use of water-cooled air conditioning systems to meet the energy efficiency objective with regard to the environment and health issues, a set of Code of Practice for Water-cooled Air Conditioning System was promulgated in July 2006 to provide guidelines for the cooling tower design, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance. The Code of Practice comprises the following three parts:-

Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning of Cooling Towers [PDF format (609KB)]
Part 2: Operation and Maintenance of Cooling Towers [PDF format (292KB)]
Part 3: Water Treatment Methods for Cooling Towers [PDF format (333KB)]

All applications for participation in the Scheme shall comply with the Code of Practice for Water-cooled Air Conditioning Systems.

Further, all cooling tower installations under the Scheme shall comply with the requirements stipulated in the Code of Practice for Prevention of Legionnaire’s Disease (2007 Edition) [PDF format (1.29MB)].

Note: If the Scheme is suspended under special circumstances, the public will normally be notified not less than 6 months in advance.

Since September 2000, the Hong Kong SAR government, with the support of EMSD, has been operating a voluntary registration scheme for cooling towers. All owners of cooling towers can apply for participation in the voluntary registration scheme. Application information for joining the scheme is provided in "How to Apply: Voluntary Registration Scheme for Cooling Towers" leaflet. Application forms can also be downloaded from this web site. The Code of Practice for the Prevention of Legionnaire's Disease provides practical guidelines for building services practitioners and building owners on how to proper design, operate and maintain water apparatus, so as to reduce the risk of spreading the Legionella bacteria.