Sports clubs are staying away from the Joan Harrison public pool in East London in case the acidic water erodes swimmers’ teeth and irritates their eyes and skin.
The pool has remained open to the public – except for the Dispatch, which was ordered out by an unnamed BCM manager.
On Wednesday, Buffalo City Aquatics (BCA), which is affiliated to Swimming SA and represents scores of swimmers in the metro, issued an “urgent notice” for aquatic athletes to keep out the water.
BCA president Ian Schulein said yesterday: “We received complaints from our clubs that the water was not right. We went to BCM [management] at the pool last week and they said they would get back to us.
“We are still waiting.
“We called them again today [yesterday}, and the truth be told, they have not come back to us.
“We can’t use the pools until the pH comes right.”
BCA, which is presently gathering the seven local aquatic codes under their ambit (pools, sea/open, masters, disabled, synchro, water polo and diving), was meeting last night with all representatives to talk about the acid problem.
Swim coach Joe Hillstrom said water with a pH less than the required 7.2 ate away at tooth enamel.
Hillstrom said BCM had run out of soda ash, which raises alkalinity in water.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said yesterday: “The latest information is that a few bags of soda ash were organised by supply chain management on Friday, but this will only assist for a week or two, as we need stock to be procured for the next three months or so. That process is under way.”
Yesterday afternoon, an official approached a Dispatch photographer saying: “Are you from the Daily Dispatch? Stop taking pictures! The Daily Dispatch is not welcome here.” He escorted the photographer out.
The BCA notice instructed administrators to send a message to their swimmers and parents about the pH problem in the pool and askin them not to use it until further notice.
“BCM are in the process of solving the problem and will notify BCA in writing once the pool is ready for use.
“We apologise on behalf of BCM for any inconvenience caused and will stay in strict communication with BCM and notify everyone once the pH levels are back to normal again.”
BCA secretary Philantha Mnyaka said said the Joan Harrison pool was the main, and at times the only, pool available to most clubs in the East London area. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
Swim ban on acid pool
The pool has remained open to the public – except for the Dispatch, which was ordered out by an unnamed BCM manager.
On Wednesday, Buffalo City Aquatics (BCA), which is affiliated to Swimming SA and represents scores of swimmers in the metro, issued an “urgent notice” for aquatic athletes to keep out the water.
BCA president Ian Schulein said yesterday: “We received complaints from our clubs that the water was not right. We went to BCM [management] at the pool last week and they said they would get back to us.
“We are still waiting.
“We called them again today [yesterday}, and the truth be told, they have not come back to us.
“We can’t use the pools until the pH comes right.”
BCA, which is presently gathering the seven local aquatic codes under their ambit (pools, sea/open, masters, disabled, synchro, water polo and diving), was meeting last night with all representatives to talk about the acid problem.
Swim coach Joe Hillstrom said water with a pH less than the required 7.2 ate away at tooth enamel.
Hillstrom said BCM had run out of soda ash, which raises alkalinity in water.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said yesterday: “The latest information is that a few bags of soda ash were organised by supply chain management on Friday, but this will only assist for a week or two, as we need stock to be procured for the next three months or so. That process is under way.”
Yesterday afternoon, an official approached a Dispatch photographer saying: “Are you from the Daily Dispatch? Stop taking pictures! The Daily Dispatch is not welcome here.” He escorted the photographer out.
The BCA notice instructed administrators to send a message to their swimmers and parents about the pH problem in the pool and askin them not to use it until further notice.
“BCM are in the process of solving the problem and will notify BCA in writing once the pool is ready for use.
“We apologise on behalf of BCM for any inconvenience caused and will stay in strict communication with BCM and notify everyone once the pH levels are back to normal again.”
BCA secretary Philantha Mnyaka said said the Joan Harrison pool was the main, and at times the only, pool available to most clubs in the East London area. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
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