Chlorine probe at pool

The two contractors, with expertise in chlorine gas and aquatic plant operations, will also investigate if there was a link to an incident in late June at the same indoor pool in which three children had first aid after having trouble breathing.

Four adults and four children were taken to hospital for observation after Thursday’s incident, which was described as an ‘excessive release of chlorine through the filtration system’.

Thirteen more people were treated on site by ambulance officers who also checked on other patrons who had been using the aquatic facilities.

Joondalup chief executive Garry Hunt said the City ‘apologises to anyone who was inconvenienced by this matter, particularly those patrons who experienced discomfort and required medical treatment’.

He said leisure centre management made the decision to call triple zero after an adult and three children experienced breathing difficulties.

‘Initially, two ambulances arrived. About 10 ambulances in total attended,’ he said.

The centre’s pool facilities were re-opened on Saturday morning.

Mr Hunt said every effort had been made to contact affected patrons.

‘This will continue until all patrons have been contacted,’ he said.

‘The City established a page on its website for customers to engage and request specific information about the incident. All customers who registered their details have now been contacted. One of the affected patrons (a senior woman) praised staff for the professional way they handled the situation. At the time, the Department of Education and Training was holding learn to swim lessons in the indoor pool. The City has maintained regular communication with the Department (and the school in question) since the incident.’

He said the independent contractors would recommend any potential improvements the City could make.

– The City wrote to parents of children affected by the chlorine incident in June:

‘Even though the leisure centre pool system is designed for automatic chemical control, the City will continue to investigate what may have caused the children to experience an adverse reaction in the water,’ it said.

‘Your children’s safety is our priority.’