Swimming pools across Angus are failing health standards.

Level of ‘satisfactory’ inspections fell over the last three years, figures reveal

Figures released by Angus Council detailing environmental health checks at public and private swimming pools have revealed standards are consistently slipping.

Findings contained in a freedom of information request for the last three years reveal the level of “satisfactory” inspections carried out by the local authority’s environmental health officers fell from 90.7% in 2016 to 84.7% in 2017 and 81.9% last year.

Pool and spa facilities at a number of exclusive resorts have closed to the public to allow action to be taken.

At Club Carnoustie at the luxury Carnoustie Golf Hotel, of the 12 inspections only one came back with a satisfactory result.

Staff were advised to close the spa pool on three occasions – on April 13 2017, almost exactly a year later on April 12 2018 and again on October 30 2018.

Gordon Mackintosh, general manager of the Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa, explained Club Carnoustie has a robust health and safety policy which includes the monitoring of water quality.

He said: “Water checks are carried out at regular intervals throughout each day, backed up by monthly testing by an independent external contractor, the results of which are shared with Angus Council. The health and safety of our clients and staff is our first concern in all areas of our business.”

Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort at Fowlis had 12 inspections in the threeyear period – seven satisfactory, five unsatisfactory.

These included an inspection on February 19 2018 which found there was no chlorine present in the pool.

Staff agreed to close the pool immediately, a follow-up email was sent to management highlighting the seriousness of this as well as concerns regarding staff training.

A follow-up phone call and visit were made and vast improvements were noted with no further issues detected.

Commenting on the pool closure, Shaun Anderson, golf and leisure manager at Piperdam, said: “We had an overnight equipment failure which caused the chlorine to fail.

“We reinvested in equipment and there has never been an issue since.

“We have had impeccable results since then.”

The spa at the David Lloyd Leisure Limited at Ethiebeaton Park, Monifieth, was closed to the public on August 20 2018 following an inspection which found too high chlorine levels.

Out of the 24 inspections at the complex, 15 were satisfactory and nine unsatisfactory.

A spokesman for David Lloyd Dundee said: “Health and safety is our number one priority and all our pools and spas are subject to rigorous and frequent checks in line with the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group guidelines.

“It is normal for chlorine and ph levels to fluctuate in all spas and swimming pools throughout the day, which is why they are continually checked and remedial action is taken to ensure they stay within a safe level. If any readings are outside of the normal levels, we would immediately close the facility.

“As the club was closing late in the evening of August 19, chlorine levels in the spa were found to be slightly raised above normal limits. Therefore, when the club opened the following day, the spa remained closed so we could take remedial action and retest the water.

“The results were then found to be normal and the spa was reopened at 11.30am for the day.”

Picture: Kris Miller. Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort at Fowlis had 12 inspections in the three-year period – five of which were “unsatisfactory”.