www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
WaterTreatment FEB 2012 SPN
79
High profile outbreaks of cryptosporidium have reminded pool owners how critical it is to get water treatment consistently right. Traditional chlorine is still the most common, accepted method but the rise of UV, non-chlorine and some new options offer the pool owner a better chance to make the right choice
I
f anyone doubted the importance of proper treatment of swimming pool water then two events before Christmas served up the perfect and timeliest of reminders. Two cases of cryptosporidium closed public swimming pools with gastroenteritis being reported. Public health inspectors were called in after reports from doctors about illness and diarrhoea, investigations were launched and both pools
were forced to close amidst newspaper and television coverage.
The pools in Glasgow and Wells in Somerset remained closed while tests took place and the quality of the water could be assured. The outbreak of the cryptosporidium parasitic bug which closed the Wells Leisure Centre was called a dire warning about the dangers of poor quality pool water.
“Chlorine might not smell so great, might not be good for the environment and it can cause problems for eyes but it does a good job in killing bacteria. But the picture on water treatment may be changing”
Dr K Kumuran, from the Health Protection Agency in the south west said the outbreak was a warning of the importance for swimming pools to maintain the highest standards of quality of pool water.
The two incidents, which follow cases reported in France, Australia, Germany and Holland, highlighted that for pool owners no one can afford to put health at risk.
Traditional chlorine pool water treatment continues to be questioned in relation to possible health issues. It is still, however, the most common, universally accepted method of pool water treatment for safe, bacteria-free water. SPATA still recommend an oxidising residual disinfectant is in pool water at all times. By far the most common, understood and trusted residual that meets the SPATA and BISHTA standards is chlorine. It remains simple to use. You add chlorine to the water – job done. Chlorine might not smell so great, might not be good for the environment and it can cause problems for eyes but it does a good job in killing bacteria. But the picture on water treatment may be changing.
Whilst chlorine as a sole water treatment has its detractors, it may be the irritant by-products, the chloramines that are the real problem. With all the solutions being marketed these days to the concerned pool owner, it can be difficult to find the ideal solution to water treatment.
A chlorine dosing tank – still the most common, universally accepted method of pool water treatment
A commercial pool will require a level of chlorine no matter what other systems are employed. Water quality is the primary consideration. Automated dosing is more accurate and consistent than manual, especially with a varying bather load. Chloramine control is now established as important in health risk minimisation. Research, particularly by Belgian and French authorities lends credibility to the need to control
TIME TO GET WATER TREATMENT RIGHT
By Alan Lewis
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