Int. No. 1017
By Council Members Thomas-Henry and Epstein
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring analyses of cooling towers associated with Legionnaires’ disease clusters
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Section 17-194.1 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subdivision n to read as follows:
n. Cooling tower analysis. 1. Within 3 months after the department determines that a Legionnaires’ disease cluster has ended, the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of buildings, shall conduct an analysis to identify the common characteristics of cooling towers associated with the Legionnaires’ disease cluster. The analysis shall, at a minimum, consider:
(a) Each cooling tower’s manufacturer, commission date, design, construction, condition, placement on roof, and proximity to vents;
(b) Maintenance, cleaning and disinfection practices and adherence to the building’s maintenance program and plan, as set forth in subdivision c of this section;
(c) The height of each building associated with the disease cluster; and
(d) Other factors that may contribute to the growth or dispersion of legionella bacteria.
2. Within 30 days of completing each cooling tower analysis, the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of buildings, shall issue, and post on the department’s website, a report outlining the department’s findings and recommendations for preventing cooling towers from causing future Legionnaires’ disease clusters, which may include changes to:
(a) Cooling tower design, construction, and placement practices and requirements;
(b) Cooling tower maintenance, inspection, and testing practices and requirements; and
(c) The New York city building code, New York city mechanical code, New York city health code, and other relevant New York city codes or local laws.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
NY
LS #25030/25713
8/6/2026 1:00 PM