Two-day shutdown at centre
‘Faecal contamination’
Bosses were forced to close the pool at Blantyre Leisure Centre for over two days after a ‘floater’ was found in the water.
The shutdown started at 2.30pm on Wednesday, May 17, and lasted until 8am on Saturday, May 20.
Leisure chiefs apologised for the disruption caused by “faecal contamination” but said that public health is their main concern.
Gerry Campbell, general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, said: “Blantyre Leisure Centre had to shut its swimming pools at 2.30pm on Wednesday, May 17, due to accidental faecal contamination.
“When this happens, we have to close the pool immediately and carry out a strict cleaning regime to ensure that any harmful bacteria is removed in line with Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group guidelines. The timescale for this can vary based on the volume of pool water, turnover and the type of chemical treatment and, for the 25 metre pool at Blantyre Leisure Centre, this takes 36 hours.
“We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers but public health is our priority and I am sure people will understand that we cannot afford to take any chances in this respect.”
Blantyre Leisure Centre is not the first facility in South Lanarkshire to be closed because of ‘floaters.’
Last year, we revealed that Hamilton Water Palace had been closed more times than any other pool in South Lanarkshire over a four-year period due to poo in the pool.
Leisure chiefs say that pool users can help to reduce closures and keep pools safe by:
• Avoiding swimming if you feel unwell and especially if you have had vomiting or diarrhoea in the last 14 days;
• Making sure that children who are not fully toilet-trained are wearing a well-fitted swim nappy;
• Encouraging young swimmers to use the toilets before they come into the pool and to leave the pool to use the toilet before it is too late;
• Using the showers before you enter the pool;
• Stopping and leaving the water if you start to feel unwell during your swim;
• Letting the lifeguards know straight away if you do have an accident, so it can be dealt with immediately – don’t put other people at risk.