AN independent assessment of the Nuriootpa swimming pool operations has reaffirmed the need for extensive work, including upgraded filters and pumps.

At last month’s meeting, Barossa Council was presented with early findings from FMG Engineering, which has been commissioned by council to review the condition and the conformance of the pool to current SA Health Standards.

In a letter to council, FMG’s senior civil and aquatics engineer Gerald Barrie states the existing pool infrastructure does not meet the SA Health requirements for water turnover rates.

“During a site visit which FMG attended on January 15, 2021, council indicated that two of the six filters do not currently function due to corroded valves not functioning,” he said.

“...If all six filters are functioning correctly, based on a flow rate of 30 L/s, the turnover rate will still not comply with the SA Health required turnover rates.

“In addition, a wall has been constructed as part of stormwater flood measures to reduce the flood impact on the town of Nuriootpa, which directly affects the serviceability of the filters in the plant room.

“The constructed wall has made it near impossible to change the filter material in the filters which needs to be done on a minimum five year basis.”

“...To achieve the minimum requirements by SA Health, it is FMG’s opinion that the filters and pumps require upgrading to achieve current best practice to increase the flow and filtration through
the system whilst making the system serviceable to enable regular maintenance and servicing.”

The contents of the letter will form part of a more complete report incorporating further recommendations for the facility, which is expected to be presented to a council meeting in March or April.

Meanwhile, council has estimated the cost of carrying out the initial suggested filter and valves works at $108,000.

In November, Barossa Council’s elected members back-flipped on a decision to close the Nuriootpa War Memorial Pool at the end of the current swimming season – opting to instead undertake a significant community consultation process into the region’s aquatic needs.

Council has also engaged consultants to independently review the pool plant and pipework to update the condition assessment report carried out in 2015.

The Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool Working Group (NWMSPWG) has also engaged Nutrien Ag Solutions to complete a separate assessment.

Council has agreed to permanently close the pool when “costs outweigh the community benefits as determined by council”.