Water Quality Found Lacking

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32354, 21 July 1970, Page 26

Water Quality Found Lacking

The bacteriological quality of water in the Hanmer Springs hot pools compares most unfavourably with recommended thermal pool requirements, according to a report supplied to the Amuri County Council.

A copy of the report, which was prepared by a Christchurch firm of consulting engineers, was given to “The Press” yesterday by the Minister of Tourism (Mr Walker). It was included in a comprehensive report on the Hanmer Springs pools scheme.

The report was prepared because the council is con-

sidering taking over the control- of the pools. “Although the authorities operating the pool appear satisfied with the bacteriological quality of the water, in terms of the rate of water turnover it compares unfavourably with normal swimming' pool standards, and most unfavourably- with thermal pool standards recommended by the Health Department,” says the report “The minimum standards likely to be accepted by the health authorities provide for 400 gallons of water a person where the activities of bathers may result in their swallowing water. “In effect this means that with the full use of the existing thermal water, cooled by water from Hanmer Springs

township, the pools could accommodate only about 18 persons an hour. With a maximum of 100 or so persons a day, this is not very practical.” The report said that if bathers were not permitted to swim, and if the dimensions of the pools were small enough to restrict - vigorous activity—perhaps with seats erected below the surface of the water round the perimeter—there would be grounds to have the standards reduced. If a figure of 200 gallons of water a person was acceptable up to 200 persons a day could be accommodated. This was ridiculous when compared with the present peak attendance of about 2000. Filtration would be of no

advantage. The sterilisation of thermal water by chlorination was not practical because of the huge chlorine demand The report said some form of thermal pool should remain in Hanmer Springs for tourism, but its size must be restricted because of the limited availability of water and the health requirements. “The only Teal solution to the problem appears to be new facilities, which would include a small thermal pool using mineral water, and a larger pool and a paddling pool using fresh water that has been filtered and sterilised,” it said.

The report suggested a minimum budget of $lOO,OOO to build acceptable facilities.