South Hedland Aquatic Centre reopens after hygiene incident forces closure

The main pool at the South Hedland Aquatic Centre has reopened after facility managers YMCA and the Town of Port Hedland closed the pool earlier this week to undertake unforeseen maintenance at the popular aquatic centre.

Town of Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett acknowledged the staff from YMCA who worked tirelessly this week to complete the essential maintenance and ensure we continue to provide a high quality facility to the community.

Mayor Howlett stated “I am pleased to advise community members that the main pool at South Hedland Aquatic Centre is open and ready to be used.

“We are continuing to carry out necessary work on the learner’s pool and anticipate that this will be completed early next week.

“Our aquatic centres are monitored closely by regulatory bodies and the Town’s environmental team to ensure high standards are met at all times and to ensure public safety at the water facilities.

“South Hedland Aquatic Centre operates 363 days a year and is a much-loved and popular recreation facility with all members of our community.

“I commend the teams who undertook these essential maintenance works and had the main pool operational within 48 hours.

“I am certain that our teams made the best decision to carry out maintenance now and ensure our pools are available and open during the busy upcoming holiday season.”

Part of the works undertaken included a super-chlorination of all water – a process involving raising the free chlorine level of a pool and maintaining this high level for a period of no less than eight hours while the water body continues to circulate.

During this time all surfaces of the pools were thoroughly scrubbed to detach matter and build-up of residue from the lining of the water body thus increasing the chlorines ability adequately sanitise the water and improving the ability of the filtration system to remove this matter.

Once this process was completed the Town’s Environmental Health team undertook a comprehensive sampling program to confirm the efficacy of the super-chlorination process and to ensure the water meets appropriate regulatory standards for bather use.

Mayor Howlett added “it is also a timely reminder to users of aquatic centres and swimming pools to follow simple steps such as showering before entering the water, the use of aqua nappies for babies and toddlers, to avoid using the pool if you feel unwell and to ensure pool safety for everyone, especially during the hotter months.”

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