TEPID BATHS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23222, 16 December 1938, Page 14

TEPID BATHS

EXTRA EQUIPMENT installation completed "SAFE IN EVERY WAY" STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR •'lt is important for the citizens to know that the baths arc now safe in every way," said the Mayor.. Sir Krncst Davis, at a special meeting of the City Council yesterday, when a report was received from the city engineer, Air. J. Tyler, (> n the completion of the installation of additional water-treatment plant at the Hobson Street baths. "1 think Auckland ought to have a proper bath," Sir Ernest added, "lhe climate demands it. and we will give it some thought next year." Mr. Tyler's report stated that the new plant for Lhe men's bath had been in operation for some months, and that for the women's bath for several weeks. These improvements had been designed to make the two baths entirely independant of each other, lhe efficiency of the filters had been greatly improved and the positive control of the admission of chlorine and chemicals to the water had been made jiossible. as well as the continuous operation of the circulating plants throughout the night. Marked Improvement "A very marked improvement in the condition of the water is evidenced by its greatly increased clarity and bright- ' doss at all times," the report continued. "Since the control of the water treat- ' ment was placed under my jurisdiction in April, a close system of control has been developed, under which hourly tests of the free chlorine content of the water are made and plotted graphically and returned to mo once a week. The results obtained have been excellent and it hats been amply demonstrated that there should now be no question as to tho safety of the water in these baths. "Experience over several months has consistently shown that, with the new plant and proper control, the sterility of the water can easily be maintained nt a level above worldwide accepted minimum standards The medical officer of health lias had frequent tests made by his department during this period and is very satisfied with tho results now being obtained. Parnell and Shelly Beach "This work is a portion of that included in tho Baths improvement Loan, 1938, of £B2OO, which also includes the installation of modern water treatment plants at both the Parnell and Shelly Beach baths. The work at these latter baths is progressing satisfactorily The work inside the pools themselves is completed and at Parnell tho concrete filters and machine room aro nearing completion, although tho contractors advise that the machinery and equipment which is being imported has not yet come to hand." Mr. \V. T. Anderton, M.P., said it should b* explained that, notwithstanding thp number of j»eople who might enter the bath 3, tho plant could adjust tho amount of chlorine to keep the water clean. Mr. W. J. Campbell said that the water in the baths to-day was purer than the sea-water. Use of Showers Mr. A. S. Bailey said it should bo mandatory for peoplo to take showers before entering the baths. Several other speakers agreed. The Mayoi said that yesterday morning he had noticed a number of children swimming in tho vicinity of Orakei and while he was there three bus-loads more arrived. Ho felt he had a dutv to make sure that they were safe, and he had therefore communicated with the Health Department to request that tests of the water should bo inade.