Pool Water Testing and Plant Operation Procedure

Purpose. This procedure sets out how pool water is tested, logged and corrected, how the pool plant is operated and monitored, and how chemicals are stored and handled at the Summit Leisure Centre.

1.Testing schedule

Trained staff will test each pool for free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH and water temperature every two hours during opening hours and before opening, and will test total alkalinity, calcium hardness and cyanuric acid where used at the intervals in the water management plan. Every result will be recorded in the pool water quality log with the time, pool and tester.

2.Target ranges

Targets follow the Department of Health water quality guidelines for aquatic facilities. Free chlorine and pH must be within the guideline range for the pool's temperature and use, combined chlorine must be below the guideline maximum, and the automatic dosing system set points will match these targets. The current ranges are posted in the plant room and on the testing station.

• Free chlorine within the range for the pool type and temperature
• pH within the guideline range
• Combined chlorine below the guideline maximum
• Water clarity: the main drain visible from the deck
• Temperature within the program range for each pool

3.Corrective action

Where a result is outside range, the tester will re-test within fifteen minutes, inform the duty supervisor and the Facilities Coordinator, and record the corrective action taken. Where free chlorine is below the minimum, pH is outside the safe range or the main drain is not visible, the pool will be closed until results are within range and the closure recorded in the log and the incident register.

4.Plant operation

The plant operator will check filtration flow, pressure, dosing pump operation, chemical tank levels and the balance tank at the start of each shift and record the readings. Backwashing will follow the schedule and the pressure differential. Only trained staff will enter the plant room and adjust set points, and adjustments will be recorded.

5.Chemical storage and handling

Sodium hypochlorite and acid will be stored in separate bunded areas and never mixed. Deliveries will be received by trained staff using the delivery checklist and the correct fill point. Staff handling chemicals will wear the PPE on the safety data sheet, and spill kits and emergency showers will be checked weekly.

6.Contamination incidents

Faecal, vomit and blood contamination will be managed under the contamination response steps: clear the pool, remove the contaminant, raise the free chlorine to the required level for the required time, and record the incident and the reopening. Diarrhoeal contamination requires the extended response.

7.Records and calibration

Test kits and photometers will be calibrated to the manufacturer's schedule and the calibration recorded. The pool water quality log is reviewed daily by the Aquatics Manager and monthly by the Facilities Coordinator, and is available to the council environmental health officer on request.