ADDITIONAL independent testing at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre has been undertaken in response to health concerns.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Those concerns were raised by Allan Cockerell, an engineer, who after inspecting the 50-metre pool’s wetdeck system said the vertical wall had moved, compromising the drainage of water.
While the council is satisfied there is no health risk, it has not allayed Mr Cockerell’s unease about the facility. Last month the Moree Champion reported Mr Cockerell’s concerns, which prompted the council to carry out the recent tests.
Moree Plains Shire Council director of planning and development, Angus Witherby, said the testing was undertaken by a qualified and experienced independent consultant and included laboratory testing of water samples.
“The results have confirmed that water quality within the pool fully complies with public health requirements,” he said.
However, Mr Cockerell said it would be reasonable to assume NSW Health’s Public Swimming Pool and Spa Pool Advisory Document would be one of those public health standards.
“Because approximately 35 metres on one side of the pool and 10 metres on the other side does not have pool water at the same level as the wetdeck, at those locations pool surface water pollutants are not being removed efficiently, as required by the NSW Health Document when a pool incorporates deck-level surface water removal into their design.
“As a result, at those locations surface water, which contains a high proportion of pool water pollutants, will become stagnant creating health risks for pool users. Council have clearly been given a pool which is an expensive liability rather than a valuable asset.”
Last month Mr Cockerell said the pool would need to be demolished and rebuilt to ensure the safety of the public.
The Moree Champion asked MPSC further questions including who was the qualified and experienced independent consultant, when did they conducted the testing, where was the laboratory testing conducted, and what exactly were the public health requirements? At the time of going to press the council had not responded to the questions.