Manitoba Health closes 25 pools for health violations

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Health closed 25 pools for violations last year.

The most recent closure happened at the Summerland apartments on University Crescent for inadequate water quality.

Homewood Suites on Ellice Ave. also had their pool and whirlpool closed for several days for inadequate water quality but management said they check the water several times every day and keep detailed records.

“Sometimes we’ll add maybe as much as a cup or two cups of chlorine to the pool itself if the cells aren’t keeping up because of a lot of usage,” said Roland Goulet, a maintenance worker at Homewood.

Provincial health inspectors do random inspections on the more than 750 pools in Manitoba.

They’re looking for proper PH and chlorine levels as well as other potential safety issues.

“The inspections are designed to ensure that there isn’t anything that can contribute to an illness or injury in a pool,” said Gregory Marsh, a recreational water specialist with Manitoba Health.

In addition to those random inspections, pool operators must regularly send a water sample for bacterial testing.

Outdoor pools must have a water sample tested for bacteria every month while indoor pools must have a sample checked every three months.

“…A check to see if the system is working at its optimum and to make sure there is no potential for bacterial or infections,” said Marsh.

No city of Winnipeg pools were closed as a result of a provincial health violation.

There are 25 health inspectors in the city but they are also responsible for restaurants among other types of establishments.