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Water Quality Certification

Water Quality Certification and Water Quality Testing Treatment of the following water types:

Drinking Water

Drinking water must by law meet quality standards. Water providers have legal responsibilities to ensure that drinking water meet the statutory quality parameters set out in the legislation. Relevant regulations:

  • SI 439 of 2000
  • The Drinking Water Directive

Typical Water Quality Issues

  • Cryptosporidium
  • Guardia
  • Chlorine by-products
  • Chlorine
  • Tastes
  • Odours
  • Turbidity
  • Colour

Banish with Reverse Osmosis




Waterborne Pathogens

Leisure Water

Bathing water such as beaches and pools under municipal control, must meet the quality standards set out in the Bathing Water Directive. However, leisure water quality of privately operated leisure centres, as indicated by relevant chemical parameters and by hygiene indicators, such as E. Coli and Pseudomonas, is not subject to legal control, except insofar as such facilities present a threat to public health.

Leisure Water Quality

Many privately operated pools and spas register to the White Flag Standard and conform to the recommendations of the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group.

Relevant regulations:

  • Bathing Water Directive
  • Public Health Regulations
White Flag Standard promoted by:

ILAM Ireland (Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management)
EVIAN mineral water
An Taisce
The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group
(PWTAG)

There are no regulations in existence which apply directly to leisure water used in pools and spas. The Bathing Water Directive does not apply here, though public health regulations are relevant should leisure water pose a threat to health.

There are guidelines in place and voluntary schemes such as the White Flag administered by ILAM. Those leisure centres registered to the White Flag standard are required to check their leisure water quality regularly.

The British Standard Institute Code of Practice: PAS39:2003 is relevant. The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) also recommend controls be placed on pool chemicals a possible pathogens.

There are two broad areas which may require attention:

1. Chemical content of the pool or spa water
2. The issue of hygiene

1. Chemicals

In order to maintain leisure water in a satisfactory condition, chemicals are added, mainly chlorine or bromine to ensure optimum hygiene practices. Ozone is also used to disinfect leisure water.

Chlorine is most commonly used as it is very effective and persists, maintaining its disinfection power long after dosing.

It is generally necessary to control the pH of leisure water for bather comfort and to reduce corrosivity. Addition of acids and bases are frequently required to maintain the pH in the region of 7.2 to 7.4.

2. Hygiene
Micro-organisms that are classified as pathogens must be controlled in leisure water. Those targeted are E. Coli, pseudomonas and staphylococcus. Pseudomonas can be difficult to control and is known to cause throat and ear infections in those who succumb. Chlorine is very effective in controlling these pathogens, bromine less so. Constant vigilance is important in the pool operator's endeavours to maintain leisure water quality at the highest international standards. Pseudomonas by Visual Immunoasay (VIA)
Pseudomonas by Visual
Immunoasay (VIA)
Coliform - Free E. Coli - Contaminated
Coilform - Free
E. Coli - Contaminated

The range of data requiring checks and the limits are given in the table below:

Parameter PWTAG recommended Reason for ranges
     
Free chlorine mg/L Min. of 0.5 but should be between 1.5 and 2.0 mg/L chlorine Effective kill of micro-organisms
Total chlorine mg/L Less than twice the free chlorine level Measure of the original chlorine dosing level
Combined chlorine mg/L Should be less than half the free-chlorine value Measure of the amine/ammonia load.
Calcium hardness mg/L >40 mg/L and <150 mg/L CaCO3 Pool non-epoxy cement corrosion
pH 7.2-7.8 Ensure effective chlorine action and flocculation
Alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3) >75 and <200 mg/L CaCO3 pH adjustment downwards.
General Coliforms (CFU/100 ml) <1 Health and safety requirements
E.Coli (CFU/100 ml) <1 Health and safety requirements
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Present/Absent) Absent Health and safety requirements
Conductivity (?S/cm) <4300?S/cm See TDS
TDS (mg/L) No more than 1000mg/L above the intake water High TDS does marginally encourage corrosion (<3000 mg/L)
Sulphate (mg/L) As low as possible. Corrosion of non-epoxy pool cement/grout
Temperature (Celsius) 27-30 Celsius Bather comfort
Turbidity (NTU) None Appearance of the water
     

The issue of corrosivity may be an issue for pool infra-structure. High sulphates will affect cement grouting. Low pH low alkalinity, low hardness will mean that leisure water is corrosive and will attack metal pipe-work, though stainless steel will not be affected.

Wastewater/Effluent

Waste water whether discharged directly to sewer or directly to a water course or to ground must meet quality standards by law. Those discharging directly to the environment must have treatment works in place by 2005.

There are limits on solids and on nutrients entering watercourses. There are also limits on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

WWTP Aeration
WWTP Aeration

Relevant Regulations:

  • Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990.
  • EU Directive 91/271/EEC.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Urban Waste Water Treatment) Regulations, 1994 - SI 419 of 1994.
  • Water Pollution Acts 1977 - 1990
    • Section 4 licences where the treated wastewater is discharged directly to the environment
    • Section 16 licences permitting raw effluent to be discharged to sewer for treatment in, for example, a municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Waste Water Hierarchy
Waste Hierarchy

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Martin Knox, of Amberley Quality & Environmental Services Ltd, is an IEMA Registered Environmental Auditor and an associate of IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment). Membership No. 0012443

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