Hanovia UV is Easy on Babies’ Eyes at New Zealand Indoor Pool
No more sore eyes or chlorine smell in the ‘Learn to Swim’ pool since switch to UV
A new Hanovia UV water treatment system installed in the ‘Learn to Swim’ pool at AC Baths in Taupo in New Zealand has made swimming a much more pleasant experience for babies, children and instructors.
A mother and baby in the Learn to Swim pool at AC Baths
Photo 1: http://www.halmapr.com/hanovia/AC_Baths_pool_2.jpg ( KB)
(Photo caption: A mother and baby in the Learn to Swim pool at AC Baths)
“Since we installed the UV system combined chlorine levels have been reduced from as much as 1.2ppm to 0.1 ppm or even less,” said AC Baths Manager Virginia Munro. “The pool is now much nicer to swim in – the kids don’t come out with sore eyes and smelling of chlorine and the water is also much clearer. Feedback from parents and staff regarding the pool environment has also been very positive”.
Other benefits of the Hanovia UV system include reduced running costs and reduced maintenance. Also, the regular replacement of fresh water, commonly required with a standard, chlorine-based treatment regime, is much reduced. “We see this as a positive improvement, not just environmentally but also as a cost saving exercise,” added Ms Munro.
The Hanovia UV water treatment system installed at AC Baths
Photo 2: http://www.halmapr.com/hanovia/AC_Baths_UV_system.jpg (645 KB)
(Photo caption: The Hanovia UV water treatment system installed at AC Baths)
Because of the success of the Learn to Swim pool unit, AC Baths has ordered a larger Hanovia UV system for the indoor/outdoor leisure pool.
UV is well known for reducing combined chlorines, the unpleasant chemicals formed when chlorine combines with the organic compounds deriving from human use of the water. Combined chlorines are also responsible for cloudy, murky water and are very corrosive of metal building structures.
The UV unit installed at AC Baths is a Hanovia medium pressure PSP UV system, supplied by Davey Water Products, capable of treating up to 200 m3/hour, based on a UV dose of 60 mJ/cm2. Automatic wipers keep the quartz sleeves housing the UV lamps clean, so the only regular maintenance is an annual service at which the UV lamp is changed. In addition, Hanovia systems are compact and can usually be installed within existing pipework, making installation a straightforward process.
About AC Baths
The Taupo area was first settled by the Maori people late in the 14th century and has a long history associated with the Tuwharetoa people. During the 1870s men of the Armed Constabulary (AC) bathed and socialised at the thermal area called Lofley’s Glen (now the Spa Hotel site). When owner Edward Lofley raised the price of beer, the enraged constables boycotted his bar, and Lofley countered by forbidding them the use of his bath house. They then made their own thermal baths nearby, beside a promising hot spring now called the AC spring. In 1883 the Armed Constabulary dug their own pool, lined it with totara slabs and built a small changing shed alongside. The pools were a success and eventually the AC Baths Domain came under the control of the Taupo Domain Board established in 1895.
The AC Baths were more than a hot pool treat, though – they were a necessity for hygiene as there was no electricity or mains water in private homes in Taupo until the 1950s, meaning that generations of locals and visitors washed at the old AC Baths. The baths underwent re-development in early 1920s, 1950s, 1970s, and again in 2003, with the latest improvement being the addition of UV treatment.
