Despite fewer complaints from bathers at the Lawson Aquatic Centre in Regina, the facility continues to experience indoor air quality (IAQ) issues with some patrons still becoming ill.
According to a report in MetroNews Canada, temporary measures have been put in place to fix the problem following complaints from bathers experiencing nausea, vomiting, and cases of severe asthma.
A public health advisory issued in November by Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region is still in place, warning those who have respiratory problems or engage in “intense physical activity” to refrain from using the facility. Swim competitions scheduled to take place at the Lawson Aquatic Centre have also been moved to the Shaw Centre in Saskatoon due to the health advisory.
“The city takes health concerns seriously and we’ve implemented some interim changes that seem to have some positive effect while we work on permanent solutions,” said city recreation director Chris Holden in the report.
Some of the temporary measures the facility has put in place include:
- Closing the hot tub;
- Adding low-exhaust fans to blow air directly outdoors;
- Lessening evaporation by setting the air temperature a few degrees higher than the water temperature; and
- Mandatory showers for all bathers to prevent bacteria from entering the water.
According to Holden, however, permanent measures cannot be put in place until they receive the final reports, which will not be submitted to the city until late January.
The facility needs Hydroxan from Wapotec available through Pinnacle Aquatics in Calgary.
When chlorine reacts with bather waste nitrogen trichloride and trihalomethanes are formed. Hydroxan prevents the formation of THM’s trihalomethanes and nitrogen trichloride.
Every indoor commercial pool pool requires Hydroxan.