Cooling towers are part of the large central air-conditioning systems that keep UAE malls, hospitals, hotels and office towers comfortable. They're highly effective — but because they combine warm water and air, they can also become a breeding ground for Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease, if they aren't cleaned and maintained. Here's what building owners need to understand.
What a cooling tower does
A cooling tower removes heat from a building's chilled-water system by evaporating water into the air. That process means warm water is constantly circulating and exposed to the atmosphere — ideal conditions for biological growth if left untreated.
The Legionella risk
Legionella thrives in warm, stagnant water between roughly 20°C and 45°C — a range a poorly maintained cooling tower can easily sit in. The real danger is that cooling towers create a fine water mist (aerosol) that can carry the bacteria into the air. If inhaled, it can cause Legionnaires' disease, a serious form of pneumonia. This is a public-health concern, not just a maintenance one.
How regular cleaning controls the risk
Proper cooling tower cleaning and disinfection keeps the system safe by:
- Removing scale, sludge and biofilm where bacteria shelter and multiply
- Disinfecting the basin, fill and water circuit
- Maintaining correct water treatment and circulation
- Identifying stagnation points and corrosion early
How often should cooling towers be cleaned?
Cooling towers should be inspected regularly and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year — typically before and after the peak cooling season — with ongoing water treatment in between. Systems serving hospitals, hotels and high-occupancy buildings warrant the closest attention.
Protect occupants and stay compliant
Green Horizon provides professional cooling tower cleaning and disinfection across the UAE, helping facilities manage Legionella risk and meet their health-and-safety obligations. Learn about our cooling tower cleaning service or speak to our team.