Scheme for Wider Use of Fresh Water in Evaporative Cooling Towers for Energy-efficient Air Conditioning Systems (The Scheme)

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

Under the Scheme, owners of existing or new non-domestic buildings in the designated areas may apply to the Water Supplies Department (WSD) for approval of using fresh water supplies for evaporative cooling in their air conditioning systems.

Details of the scheme, with regard to the requirements of continuous registration and operation of completed installations as well as the requirements, forms and procedures of application of the Scheme were revised after a review held in 2008 by the interdepartmental working group of the Scheme with a view to enhancing the workflow of application process and monitor the performance of the completed systems. With effect from 1 June 2008, the revised requirements, forms and procedures within the administration of the Scheme are implemented.

To join the Scheme, applicants shall submit Form EMSD EE CT1A to EMSD (in duplicate with one copy to Buildings Department). EMSD will then vet and support the preliminary cooling tower(s) installation proposal when the cooling tower(s) installation satisfies the latest requirements stipulated in the Scheme, and forward the application to WSD for further processing. Before commencing the plumbing works for cooling tower(s) installation and applying for WSD¡¦s permission to proceed with the plumbing works, the applicants shall submit to EMSD the Notice of Commencement of Cooling Tower Installation Work (Form EMSD EE CT1B in duplicate, with one copy to BD) for their examination of the proposed cooling tower(s) in detail.

Upon completion of the installation, the owners shall submit

1. Form EMSD EE CT2B (in duplicate, with one copy to Buildings Department) for certifying completion of the installation in whole and undertaking for the provision of operational information and to any changes of the installation as required under the Scheme or
2. Form EMSD EE CT2A (in duplicate, with one copy to Buildings Department) for reporting phased completion of the installation and applying for metered water supply on concessionary basis and period as well as undertaking for the remaining responsibilities thereof to EMSD for registration.

Applicants shall also required to submit plans on the construction of supporting framework for approval by Buildings Department if such a framework is required in the installation of cooling towers.

The owner will be approved to use metered water supply for the cooling towers only after completion of registration by EMSD and satisfactory inspection by WSD.

After commissioning the approved installation, the owners shall submit the system operation information with Form EMSD EE CT3 to EMSD on a monthly basis for continued approval of water supplies and registration of the cooling towers. Besides, the owners shall notify EMSD, as soon as there are any changes of installation details, with Form EMSD EE CT4 as attachment of Form EMSD EE CT3. Existing owners of approved cooling tower(s) installation are obliged to submit notification (Form EMSD EE CT5A in duplicate, with one copy to Buildings Department) to EMSD when there is a change of the ownership of the installation. The new owners of previously approved cooling tower(s) installation shall also submit notification with undertaking (Form EMSD EE CT5B in duplicate, with one copy to Buildings Department) to EMSD when taking over the installation from the preceding owners for operation.

Applicants may submit the Form(s) in either printed copy or electronic copy to EMSD for vetting and registration.

Submission by post, or electronic submission in floppy diskette or CD-ROM formats, should be addressed to the Energy Efficiency Office of EMSD at:

Energy Efficiency Office
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
7/F, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Electronic submission may also be e-mailed to a designated e-mail address info@emsd.gov.hk. Applicants may also email preliminarily completed forms for preview before lodging a formal application.

Section 11(2) of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance specifies the manner and format for the submission of electronic information under law. Please also visit Explanatory Note for Layman for further details.

Any enquiries on the scheme should be made to EMSD during office hours on 2808 3465. Updated application process and registration forms of the scheme can be downloaded by clicking the process chart [PDF format (22KB)] and forms below:

Voluntary Registration Scheme for Cooling Towers

The scheme was first launched on 1 September 2000.

Under the scheme, owners of existing buildings may send an original copy of the application with Form CT-VR1 and associated drawings and documents to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) for registration of the cooling towers. After acceptance of the registration of the cooling towers, the owners shall send the system operation information and any updated installation changes with Form CT-VR2 to EMSD on a monthly basis for continued registration of the cooling towers.

Please be reminded that supporting frames of cooling towers erected without approval and consent from the Building Authority are unauthorised and are subject to removal actions under the Buildings Ordinance Section 24(1). Registration of the cooling towers under the Voluntary Registration Scheme would not change their illegal status and would not preclude the Building Authority from carrying out enforcement actions under the Buildings Ordinance.

Upon registration by EMSD, we shall provide the owners with advice and assistance on the prevention of Legionnaires' Disease (LD), aiming to minimise any potential risk in the spreading of LD from the operation of existing cooling towers.

With effect from May 31, 2003, applicants have a choice to lodge either printed copy or electronic copy of submission for Form CT-VR1, and Form CT-VR2 to EMSD for registration.

Submission by post, or electronic submission in floppy diskette or CD-ROM formats, should be addressed to the Energy Efficiency Office of EMSD at:

Energy Efficiency Office
Electrical & Mechanical Services Department
7/F, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Electronic submission should be e-mailed to a designated e-mail address vrs@emsd.gov.hk. Applicants may also email preliminarily completed forms for preview before lodging a formal application.

Section 11(2) of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance specifies the manner and format for the submission of electronic information under law. Please also visit Explanatory Note for Layman for further details.

All enquiries on the scheme should be made to EMSD during office hours on 2808 3465.

Detailed explanation and registration forms of the scheme can be downloaded by clicking the leaflet and forms below:

• How to apply: Voluntary Registration Scheme for Cooling Towers
  [PDF format (9KB)]

• Application for Participation of Voluntary Registration Scheme for Cooling Towers - Form CT-VR1 [PDF format (68KB)]

• Provision of Monthly Operational Information for Evaporative Cooling Tower Installation(s) under Voluntary Registration Scheme for Cooling Towers - Form CT-VR2 [PDF format (70KB)]