Key Takeaways
- Invercargill’s Splash Palace faced two code browns on the same day, resulting in pool closures
- The incidents occurred in the learners pool, with the second incident happening after the pool had reopened
- Staff followed standard procedures, including closing the pool, cleaning the material, and super-chlorinating the water
- The number of code brown incidents at Splash Palace has exceeded 2024 numbers, with 30 incidents resulting in 58.5 hours of unplanned pool closures as of October 31
- The leisure pool is the most common location for code browns at Splash Palace
Introduction to the Incident
Invercargill’s Splash Palace has recently faced a unfortunate and unpleasant situation, with two code browns occurring on the same day. The learners pool was closed for 1 hour and 45 minutes due to a faecal contamination incident, only to reopen and then close again due to another contamination. This incident has raised concerns about the frequency of such events at the pool, and has led to an investigation into the matter. The council has reported that the number of code brown incidents at Splash Palace has exceeded the numbers from 2024, with two months still to go.
The Incident Unfolds
The incident began when a small amount of faecal matter was discovered in the learners pool, prompting the pool’s closure. After the pool was cleaned and super-chlorinated, it was reopened for swimming lessons. However, shortly after, another piece of faecal matter was found, leading to the pool’s closure once again. Council manager aquatic services Stephen Cook stated that the second incident involved a "small amount of additional matter" being found, which prompted the pool’s closure for a further half hour. It is unclear whether this was a separate incident or if the matter was overlooked due to its small size.
Response to the Incident
Staff at Splash Palace acted quickly in response to both incidents, following standard procedures to ensure the pool was cleaned and safe for users. This involved closing the pool, cleaning the material, and super-chlorinating the water. The amount of time the pool remains closed depends on the type of material, with closures ranging from 30 minutes to 12 hours. Cook stated that there had been no reports of faecal matter being stepped in or transferred to the bottom of the pool, despite claims from a source that a swimming instructor had stepped on the second piece of faecal matter and smeared it slightly across the bottom of the pool.
Frequency of Code Browns
The recent incident has highlighted a larger issue at Splash Palace, with the number of code brown incidents exceeding 2024 numbers. As of October 31, there had been 30 incidents resulting in 58.5 hours of unplanned pool closures, compared to 28 incidents and 59.4 hours lost in 2024. The leisure pool is the most common location for code browns, with the majority of incidents occurring in this area. The council has not provided a reason for the increase in code browns, but it is clear that the issue is a concern for staff and users of the pool.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The incident at Splash Palace highlights the importance of proper cleaning and maintenance procedures in public pools. The staff’s quick response to the incidents and adherence to standard procedures ensured that the pool was cleaned and safe for users. However, the frequency of code browns at Splash Palace is a concern that needs to be addressed. The council will need to investigate the cause of the increase in incidents and take steps to prevent future occurrences. This may involve increasing staff training, improving cleaning procedures, or implementing new measures to prevent faecal contamination. By taking these steps, Splash Palace can ensure a safe and healthy environment for its users.
