A concerned resident of Reiger Park has flagged the township’s public swimming pool as a health hazard, saying the water in the pool is contaminated and has turned green due to ‘absence’ of maintenance.
Authorities, however, said water tests are regularly conducted and there was ‘no risk whatsoever’ to bathers, otherwise the place would have been temporarily closed to the public.
The area’s ward councilor speculated that the cause of the said slight colour change might be something to do with a lack of chlorine, and the leaves from the nearby trees.
According to the concerned resident, Melissa Crawford, the pool is not cleaned, pumps are faulty, the lawn is not mowed, toilets are not cleaned and other facilities on the property are not up to the acceptable standard.
“No maintenance is done at the facility, and this is subjecting bathers to an unsafe environment. Unfortunately children do not understand the risk posed by the facility. It’s hot, and all they want is to go for a swim to cool off,” said Melissa.
When approached for comment, Ward 34 Clr Judith Klassen said the pool was recently drained and filled with fresh water.
“Initially, a group of residents complained about the closure of the pool, and I met with the operators and requested them to make efforts to clean the water so that the pool could be reopened to the public.
“Efforts were made, including draining the contaminated water and replacing it with clean water, before it was subsequently reopened.”
Chemical shortage hampers pools operation
The councillor said she was told that the city is experiencing chlorine shortage to supply local pools.
“The lack of chemicals and the leaves from the nearby trees could be one of the reasons the water looks a bit greenish,” explained Klassen.
The metro confirmed that the delivery of chlorine has been very slow from the supplier as there is a shortage of cylinders in the market, saying the city is working on a new tender that increases the supply of 925kg drums.
“For this reason, the facility remained closed for a few days while efforts were being made to clean the water. The shortage of chlorine is hindering the optimal running of this facility,” explained metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
About the grass, the metro promised to deploy its own limited personnel from other areas to assist at this facility.
“Previously, the city used grass cutting contractors to complement internal personnel but now with cost containment measures, contractors have been put on hold.”
Regarding the toilets, Dlamini said toilets at the swimming pool are cleaned regularly, adding that this has been confirmed by the acting aquatic officer responsible for this swimming pool.
“The area with pumps that are faulty has been closed off to the public for safety reasons.”
More pools to close over chlorine gas shortage
As the city is experiencing challenges to secure orders of chlorine gas for its public pools, more facilities will, according to the metro, be closing their doors as they run out of chlorine gas.
According to Dlamini, the city has issued a supplier with an official order, but there is a shortage of 70kg cylinders in circulation.
The metro attributed the supply disruptions to the N.C.P which is not replenishing its stock of 70kg cylinders. As cylinders are scraped there is less to work with in the market.
When asked if the metro would look at other alternative appropriate pool chemicals that can be used in the meantime, Dlamini said: “The city is already in discussion with the supplier to try and obtain chlorine gas in a more available cylinder/drum size. The city is also looking at alternative chemicals to keep our swimming pools clean.”
Here are the local pools that have had to temporarily close to swimmers over the depleted supplies of pool chemicals:
• Selection Park Swimming Pool
• Brakpan Swimming Pool
• Benoni Central Swimming Pool
• Benoni Northerns Swimming Pool
• Etwatwa Swimming Pool
• Daveyton Swimming Pool
The metro said some deliveries of 10 of 70kg cylinders were expected this week, however, that is still not enough to address the chemical shortage.
Also Read: City delays opening of swimming pools
