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Water Treatment

COOLING TOWERS

Current legislation dictates cooling towers receive specific treatment and monitoring programs to ensure safe operation and Legionella control. cooling systems within certain parameters is important. Scale, solids, bacterial growth and corrosion are issues which the water treatment must address. Failure on any one of these could cause loss of heat transfer, personal injury or plant shutdown

Halpin & Hayward are suppliers of all aspects of cooling system treatment including chemicals, control equipment, pumps and pretreatment. We provide our clients with our Legionella Log Book which contains the information required to remain compliant to current legislation. Our Legionella Log Book is a single source for all required legal and operational plant information. It ensures efficient system operation and legal compliance during audits.n.  Effective water treatment is key to maintaining cooling towers in good working order

Understanding Legionella Risk in Cooling Towers: What Irish Facility Managers Need to Know

Legionella bacteria pose one of the most serious health risks in commercial and industrial water systems across Ireland. Every year, facility managers face the critical challenge of preventing legionella outbreaks while maintaining cooling tower efficiency and meeting strict regulatory requirements.

If you manage a cooling tower system in Ireland, you’re legally required to implement a comprehensive legionella control programme. The question isn’t whether to test for legionella bacteria—it’s how to do it properly, on time, and in full compliance with HSG274:2014 and HPSC 2009 guidelines.

 

Halpin & Hayward: Your Trusted Partner for Legionella Testing Ireland

For over 60 years, Halpin & Hayward has been Ireland’s leading water treatment specialist, providing comprehensive legionella testing services and cooling towers water treatment solutions to protect businesses nationwide.

The Range of Cooling Tower services we provide include: 

COOLING TOWERS1

Why Irish Businesses Choose Halpin & Hayward

 

Our Advantage

How It Benefits You

60+ Years Experience

Three generations of family-run expertise in water treatment chemistry and legionella control

Nationwide Coverage

Dublin-based with representatives across Ireland for rapid response and local service

Regulatory Compliance

Full HSG274:2014 and HPSC 2009 compliance management and documentation

Certified Specialists

Trained, competent personnel for all legionella sampling and analysis

End-to-End Service

From risk assessments to testing, treatment, and emergency remediation

World-Class Products

Distributors of leading water treatment chemicals and disinfection equipment

Industries We Serve Across Ireland

Halpin & Hayward provides legionella testing and cooling tower water treatment to diverse sectors:

Healthcare Facilities
 Hospitals, nursing homes, and medical centres where vulnerable populations demand the highest water safety standards

Commercial Buildings
 Office complexes, shopping centres, and hotels with HVAC cooling towers serving thousands of occupants

Manufacturing & Industrial
 Food processing plants, pharmaceutical facilities, and data centres with critical cooling infrastructure

Hospitality & Leisure
 Hotels, resorts, and fitness centres where guest safety and reputation protection are paramount

Education Institutions
 Universities, schools, and research facilities with complex building services systems

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Complete Legionella Control Services for Cooling Towers

1. Legionella Bacteria Water Testing

Our accredited laboratory testing identifies legionella bacteria presence and concentration in your cooling tower system:

Quarterly Legionella Testing Programme:

  • Water sample collection from cooling towers, basins, and distribution systems
  • Laboratory analysis for legionella pneumophila and other species
  • CFU (Colony Forming Units) quantification
  • Rapid turnaround reporting (typically 10-14 days)
  • Actionable recommendations if legionella is detected

What We Test:

  • Cooling tower basins and fill media
  • Recirculating water systems
  • Drift eliminators and spray zones
  • Make-up water sources
  • Evaporative condensers

2. Legionella Risk Assessments Ireland

Comprehensive legionella risk assessments are your first line of defence:

✓ Full cooling tower system inspection and mapping
 ✓ Temperature monitoring and dead-leg identification
 ✓ Water flow pattern analysis
 ✓ Written scheme of examination development
 ✓ Competent person training requirements
 ✓ HSG274 compliance gap analysis

3. Cooling Tower Clean & Disinfection

Regular cooling tower cleaning and disinfection prevents biofilm buildup where legionella thrives:

Biannual Deep Clean Service Includes:

  • Complete system shutdown and drainage
  • Manual removal of sludge, scale, and biological growth
  • High-pressure jet washing of fill media, basins, and pipework
  • Biocide application and contact time management
  • System recharge and chemical dosing setup
  • Post-clean legionella sampling verification

4. Ongoing Water Treatment & Monitoring

Proactive cooling tower water treatment keeps legionella bacteria under control year-round:

  • Weekly chemical dosing and conductivity monitoring
  • Monthly pH, biocide, and corrosion inhibitor testing
  • Blowdown management and cycles of concentration optimization
  • Temperature logging and trending
  • Biofilm dispersant programmes
  • Chlorine dioxide or copper-silver ionisation systems

Halpin & Hayward manages your complete compliance calendar, ensuring you never miss a critical test, inspection, or cleaning deadline.

 

Download Our Free Legionella Compliance Guide

Understanding your obligations under HSG274:2014 and HPSC 2009 doesn’t have to be complicated. Download our comprehensive guide to cooling tower legionella control requirements in Ireland.

Download HPSC Legionella Guidelines


Beyond Testing: Comprehensive Water Treatment Solutions

While legionella testing is critical, Halpin & Hayward offers complete water treatment services to optimize your entire cooling system:

Steam Boilers Water Treatment

Prevent scale, corrosion, and efficiency loss in steam-raising plant

LPHW and CHW Systems

Closed-loop heating and chilled water system treatment and monitoring

Water Tank Cleaning

Potable water storage tank disinfection and compliance

Legionella Prevention Services

Proactive system design review and control implementation

Industrial Water Treatment Equipment

Filtration, softening, reverse osmosis, and chemical dosing systems

Get in touch with our Water Treatment System experts today

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Frequently Asked Questions: Cooling Towers Water Treatment

How often should cooling towers be tested for legionella in Ireland?

Quarterly legionella testing is the minimum legal requirement under HSG274:2014 for all operational cooling towers in Ireland. However, high-risk systems (large cooling towers, hospitals, hotels, elderly care facilities) may require monthly testing during warmer months when legionella bacteria multiply faster.

Halpin & Hayward creates customized testing schedules based on your system size, complexity, water temperature, and operational patterns.

What happens if legionella bacteria is found in my cooling tower?

If legionella testing detects bacteria above safe thresholds (typically >1,000 CFU/L), immediate action is legally required:

  • 1,000-10,000 CFU/L: Review control measures, increase biocide dosing, re-test within 48 hours
  • >10,000 CFU/L: Immediate system shutdown, emergency disinfection, investigation, and remediation

Our emergency response team is available 24/7 to support you through any legionella detection event, from initial treatment to regulatory notification and system clearance.

How much does legionella testing cost in Ireland?

Professional legionella testing typically depending on system complexity and sample points required. However, the cost of non-compliance is far higher—legionella outbreaks can result in:

Request a free quote for your facility by contacting our team at +353 1 2967188

Can I test for legionella myself or does it require a specialist?

While trained in-house staff can perform weekly visual checks and biocide monitoring, quarterly microbiological legionella testing must be conducted by competent specialists using accredited laboratory analysis.

Attempting to self-test for legionella bacteria without proper training, sampling protocols, and laboratory certification will not satisfy HSG274 compliance requirements and leaves you legally exposed.

What's the difference between legionella testing and legionella risk assessment?
  • Legionella Risk Assessment: A one-time (or annual) evaluation of your entire water system to identify where legionella bacteria could grow and spread. This creates your written scheme of control.
  • Legionella Testing: Ongoing quarterly water sampling and microbiological analysis to verify your control measures are working and legionella is not present.

Both are required—the risk assessment tells you what to do, and testing confirms it’s working.

Do all cooling towers need legionella testing in Ireland?

Yes, without exception. Every operational cooling tower, evaporative condenser, and wet scrubber in Ireland is legally classified as high-risk for legionella and requires:

  • A completed legionella risk assessment
  • A written scheme of control
  • Quarterly legionella bacteria water testing
  • Biannual cleaning and disinfection
  • Notification to local health authorities