With the heat rising, your condo or co-op’s cooling tower is putting in extra hours—and that means your compliance checklist is too. Staying on top of NYC’s Local Law 77 isn’t just about avoiding fines; it’s about keeping your residents safe from Legionnaires’ disease and everyone cool and comfortable through the summer.
Here’s a year-round breakdown of what you need to do to keep your cooling tower in compliance.
Cooling season (typically May–October)
These tasks are only required when your cooling tower is in use.
Quarterly inspections
- Must be done every 90 days, while the tower is running.
- Performed by a qualified pro.
- Includes visual inspections and Legionella water testing.
Summer hyperhalogenation (July 1–August 31)
- One-time, high-dose disinfection.
- Collect a Legionella sample 3–45 days after treatment.
- Submit the hyperhalogenation declaration form via the NYC Cooling Tower Portal within 30 days of treatment.
Ongoing maintenance
- Daily water treatment is required (this is typically automated, set up by your vendor).
- Weekly monitoring and 3x/week water testing must be logged in your Maintenance Program & Plan.
Cleaning & disinfection
- At least twice per year—once before startup and once after shutdown.
Year-round & annual requirements
Annual Certification – Due by November 1
- Certifies that the system was maintained and disinfected per regulations.
- Must be filed via the NYC Cooling Tower Registration Portal.
- Late or missing certifications can cost you up to $10,000 in fines.
What boards should do
- Confirm your vendor or manager has an active Maintenance Program & Plan (MPP).
- Set reminders for:
- Quarterly inspections (while in season)
- July hyperhalogenation
- November 1 annual certification
- Ask to see the cooling tower logbook or service history—records matter.
What happens if you miss something?
- Fines: Hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation.
- Health risks: Legionella bacteria can thrive in neglected systems.
- Legal exposure: Missed compliance puts the board at legal risk.
The bottom line
Staying ahead of these requirements will keep you and your residents safe and cool. For a more detailed checklist and resources, visit the NYC Department of Health's Cooling Tower Maintenance page. Need some help? The Daisy team is here for you.
