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“The consumption of chemicals at the pool was higher than normal. Under normal circumstances, the dose rate of the pool was supposed to be 5kg per day,” read the full council report.
It was suspected that there is a leak on the side of the pool walls. The pool was often topped up with fresh water and thereby diluting and weakening the strength of the chemicals in the water. More chemicals were then added to balance the chlorine residual and the ph legal level.
The meeting also noted that the pool had not been painted for a considerable period with the paint peeling off leaving some bare cement on the walls and the floor. The algae formation on the cement had become a real problem and to combat the problem, shock treatment of the pool at a double the normal dose rate of chemicals was necessary.
The report also said that it was assumed the balancing tank which was between the pool and the filter tanks had some mud which would be another source of the problem. The valve which was leading to the tank was broken and it could only be repaired when the pool was empty.
When the deputy Mayor, Amen Mpofu asked how long it would take to repair the pool in order to avoid inconveniencing members of the public, Magagula responded by saying water from the pool would be pumped out and used by other departments with repairs expected to be completed in a few months’ time.
The swimming season is however over.
Meanwhile, in the same meeting, councillors raised concern about the turf at Barbourfields Stadium which was deteriorating as a result of using water bowsers.
It was felt that the stadia, being a landmark feature and the pride of the city should receive the best attention with calls for the rehabilitation of all the boreholes and sprucing up the area to international standards.
Despite receiving enormous amounts of money from gatetakings especially from matches involving Bulawayo giants Highlanders, the city council has not found it necessary to pour the money back into the maintenance of the facility.
Online Reporter