EXETER CITY SWIMMING CLUB

PRESS RELEASE

Swimming Club Suspends Training Sessions Until Council Improves Water Quality at Pyramids Pool

Exeter City Swimming Club is asking Exeter City Council to take immediate action following health problems in swimmers training at the Council owned Pyramid’s leisure centre in Heavitree Road.

From October 2007 many club swimmers have been coughing and wheezing during training sessions. Water testing during this period has shown high levels of the by products of chlorination (chloramines) formed when chlorine reacts with nitrogenous contaminants in the pool.

Dr. Ron Smith, the Club Welfare Officer says “there is much scientific and medical evidence available that shows that repeated exposure to high levels of chloramines can cause both temporary and even permanent symptoms of asthma.  Our swimmers can train up to 3.5 hours a day at the Pyramids pool, which means they are at a far greater risk from chloramines at than other users of the pool”. 

David Jenkins, Club Chairman says “Our parents are naturally very concerned about the issue.  Instead of seeing the health and fitness benefits of swimming they have a child who is distressed with coughing and wheezing”. 

According to the Club’s Head Coach, Jon Randall, “This year our swimmers have not been able to train with the intensity and regularity they need.  Many athletes who had a very good chance of making both Regional and National Championships may not be able to qualify due to the disruption in their training.  It is very frustrating”.

Exeter City Council’s Environmental Health Department have given the Club assurances that conditions at the Pyramids are safe, but the City Council has confirmed that the pool, which is due to be replaced by the proposed new pool at Clifton Hill, is operating at the top end of its tolerances. Dr. Smith says “Environmental Health’s assurances are difficult to accept when our swimmers experience breathing difficulties during and after training”.

The Club has had advice from pool experts including Dr Phil Penny a founder of the national watchdog the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group [PWTAG]. He has visited the pool twice to observe the conditions and swimmers in training.   He has drawn attention to the pungent smell and said that the water tests “show chlorine levels and pH [a measure of acidity] which grossly contravene national standards and Council requirements in the contract.”  The NHS Health Protection Agency has expressed their concern and has asked to be kept informed of developments in this matter.  The Club has also sought the advice of the Amateur Swimming Association about the health and welfare risks to children.  The club has had to cancel training sessions whenever the pool tests for chloramines have been above the contract level agreed between DC Leisure and the City Council.

The Club has worked with both DC Leisure and Exeter City Council for over 3 months yet the problem remains unresolved. As young swimmers have to get up, travel sometimes long distances only to find the session is cancelled, all 5.45am early morning club sessions will be suspended pending a sustained and significant improvement in the water quality.

Links

Devon County ASA

ASA SouthWest

British Swimming