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Frimley Pool back in business

The Frimley Pool has been reopened today (February 26), after water tests showed the pool water met New Zealand water standards.

The pool was closed as a precaution by Hastings District Council last Wednesday (February 17), after about 40 students in a party of 319 at the pool for swimming sports became unwell with vomiting and headaches. To be sure the water was not the cause, tests were carried out by Hastings District Council staff, an independent water tester, and the Population Health Service of the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.

Tests have been done for both germs and chemicals. With final tests back today Council is confident that the pool water meets swimming pool standards.

One corner of the pool did have algae and nematodes. However experts advised these organisms were not dangerous and would not have made the children sick. Council staff have cleaned the pool surfaces in time for the reopening and will make sure ongoing maintenance prevents any build-up of algae in the future.

The district health board’s population health service was continuing to investigate the incident and is conducting a survey of students from the school.  Medical Officer of Health Dr Nicholas Jones said it would be two weeks before the investigation is complete.  “Our initial analysis of the survey doesn’t rule out something to do with the school trip to the pool.  There are quite a few potential causes of illnesses we need to look in to.  It is possible that we won’t ever know for sure what caused the outbreak. However, we agree with council that the laboratory test findings are very reassuring and we can’t see any reason why the pool shouldn’t reopen.”

As part of the investigation into the pool, some people commented on black patches on the floor of the pool.

Council pools manager Alice Heather said that was where paint had worn off the floor, revealing the concrete underneath. The surface would be repainted as part of the winter maintenance to be carried out once the pool closed after summer.

Ms Heather said it was extremely pleasing to have it confirmed that the management of the pool is “very much up to scratch”.

“It’s brilliant to be open ahead of what looks like being a very hot weekend. Our local kids will be very pleased.”

 

 

 

4 October 2017

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