Under the FWCT 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.

The application requirements, procedures and forms were revised after a recent review completed in September 2010 to streamline the application process and monitoring of the operating conditions of the completed systems. The revised requirements, forms and procedures within the administration of the Scheme are implemented with effect from November 2010 (with grace period of 6 months for using latest version of scheme documents and application forms).

To join the Scheme, applicants shall submit Form 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 Scheme requirements with copy to WSD for their 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 CT1B) for their examination of the proposed cooling tower(s) in detail.

Upon completion of the installation, the owners shall submit

1. Form CT2B 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 CT2A 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.

The applicant and the licensed plumber shall also apply to WSD for inspection or process for connection of water supply to the cooling tower(s) installation.

Applicants shall also submit plans on the construction of supporting framework to Buildings Department for approval 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 keep operation records with Form CT3 on monthly basis and produce for inspection upon request by EMSD until the cooling towers are dismantled and put out of service. Besides, the owners shall notify EMSD, as soon as there are any changes of installation details, with Form CT4. When transfer of installation ownership occurs, existing and new owners of approved cooling tower(s) shall complete the notification Form CT5 and submit to EMSD for update of records.

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 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 3757 6156. Updated application process and registration forms of the scheme can be downloaded by clicking the process chart [PDF format (20KB)] and forms below:

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