Report to: General Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT: Liquid Chlorination with Addition of U.V. Filtration
PREPARED BY: Colin Service, Manager, Planning & Policy Development
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report entitled Liquid Chlorination with Addition of U.V. Filtration be received;
And that the Town of
And that Council endorse that all
the pools at the four major Town of Markham pool facilities (
And that the upgrade costs to an upset limit of approximately $133,100 be included for consideration as part of the 2009 non-Life Cycle capital requests to convert Centennial Pool as a trial facility;
And that the estimated annual maintenance costs of $6,000 for Centennial Pool be added to Recreations 2009 operating budget;
And further that Shore Tilbe Irwin and Partners be directed to incorporate liquid chlorine with the addition of UV in the design of East Markham Community Centre;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to follow
up on Salt Water Pool Disinfection/Filtration Report previously submitted
whereby Town of
BACKGROUND:
On
It is necessary to and heavily
legislated that the water quality in
swimming pools and spas be physically and biologically clean. Both physical or mechanical and chemical
cleaning must converge to create and maintain the high standard of cleanliness. The physical or mechanical cleaning of the
pool water is accomplished by adequate circulation/filtration. The chemical
cleaning is done through oxidation (chlorine.). Chloramines are a by-product of
the initial sanitation from chemical cleaning.
A secondary sanitation must then be used to address the creation of chloramines.
Various chemicals can be added to the pool such as lithium hypochlorite,
potassium monopersulfate or extremely high levels of chlorine. This is referred
to as superchlorinations, breakpoints and shocks to the pool.
Cleanliness and Disinfection of Class A Pools
The Town of
Requirements for disinfection of a
Class A pool include that pool water be treated with chlorine or a chlorine
compound by means of an adjustable dosing device and that the residual of free
available chlorine is not less than 0.5 milligrams per litre in every part of
the pool (Reference: Reg. 565.s.7.7.a.)
In the research completed on Salt Water Filtration systems,
it was recommended by staff that Salt Water not be considered due to the
environmental concerns, the commercial use limitations and the lack of
experienced operators. It was further
recommended that staff continue researching alternate sanitation methods to
determine if there was a method that could deliver some of the same positive
impacts without the negative factors.
Through this research staff have identified the best alternative as
liquid chlorine with the addition of UV.
Fundamentals of Liquid Chlorine with the addition of UV
In a pool that is disinfected with liquid chlorine, pool water passes through the filter and the heat exchanger, and then liquid chlorine is automatically injected into the water as needed by a chemical controller based on the pre-set level. In a system that has an addition of UV, prior to going through the chemical injector; water passes through a treatment chamber where it is exposed to medium intensity ultra violet rays. UV disinfection works by delivering concentrated amounts of UV light energy to the reproductive mechanism of the microbe, effectively killing it. As water passes through the UV chamber, it instantly disinfects it. To convert our existing facilities would require a capital investment of $608,300.
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
Currently the Town of
Methods of Disinfection
Chlorine has the ability to inactivate the vast majority of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. Some parasites such as cryptosporidium are resistant to chlorine and need to be filtered out of the water, or treated with supplemental sanitizers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends enhancing existing technological and operational methods of improving water quality. Supplemental, in-line disinfection known to inactivate Cryptosporidium (e.g., UV) will become the third pillar of pool operation at all facilities, in addition to filtration and chlorine disinfection and remove the need for breakpoints and superchlorinations.
Table One - Existing Liquid Chlorine
|
Pros |
-
Existing system has proven to be
functionally effective, safe and simple to operate -
Liquid chlorine is pumped in from
outside eliminating the need for staff contact -
All Town of -
Capable of maintaining water clarity for
high bather loads |
|
Cons |
- Skin may become irritated if bathers have a chlorine
sensitivity or allergy |
Table Two - Existing Liquid Chlorine with
the Addition of U.V
|
Pros |
-
Fast acting,
application of UV light triggers reaction almost instantly -
UV light does
not result in the creation of harmful chemicals, by-products and therefore is
environmentally friendly -
24 hour/seven day per week oxidation of chloramines (major irritant of
eyes, skin throat and lungs.) Superchlorinations, break points and shocks on
the pools no longer required. -
Effectively kills
chlorine resistant micro-organisms -
Less costly, faster
acting, and simpler secondary oxidation/sanitation -
Improved water and
air quality resulting in a healthier environment for staff and patrons -
Capable of
maintaining water clarity and sanitation levels during higher bather loads |
|
Cons |
- Customers with chlorine allergies may still experience
reactions in the pool. |
In summary, based on our research findings the current most effective way to eliminate chloramines and manage viruses, bacteria, and parasites is a source of conventional chlorine as the primary disinfectant and UV as the secondary means.
Staff are recommending that all the bodies of water in the four major Town of Markham pools (Angus Glen, Centennial, Milliken Mills, and Thornlea) be upgraded to include ultra violet (UV) to enhance public safety and the quality of services and UV be included for consideration in the 2009 capital budget.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
AND TEMPLATE:
Based on consultation with Water & Ice North America LTD
and SP&S Pools, the following capital costs were identified in
consideration of pool size, flow rates of each pool and other pool operating
parameters.
It is proposed that the $400,000 capital costs be considered
as part the 2009 non-Life Cycle capital requests that are operating budget
funded and that $18,000 be added to the operating budget for associated operating
costs.
The estimated annual costs were based on the maintenance
contract estimate as provided by Water & Ice North America LTD and in
consultation with SP&S Pools. The
annual maintenance costs using the current disinfection method for the pools at
the nine facilities is approximately $3,000.
|
Disinfection Method |
Capital Costs to Install |
Estimated Annual Maintenance Costs |
|
( ) Number of pools per facility |
(per Facility) |
|
|
Existing Liquid Chlorine with the Addition of UV |
Proposed Facilities for
upgrade in 2009 |
|
|
|
Angus Glen (3) $ 98,000 |
Angus Glen $ 5,000 |
|
|
Centennial (4) $121,000 |
Centennial $ 6,000 |
|
|
Milliken Mills (3) $ 98,000 |
Milliken Mills $ 5,000 |
|
|
Thornlea (1) $ 46,000 |
Thornlea $ 2,000 |
|
|
SUB-TOTAL $363,000 |
TOTAL $18,000 |
|
|
10% Engineering $ 36,300 |
|
|
|
TOTAL $399,300 |
|
It is recommended that only Centennial Pool be completed at
this time at $121,000 plus 10% engineering fees for total capital costs of
$133,100. Annual operating costs would
represent $6,000.
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS
Not applicable
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
This proposal aligns with
corporate strategic priority of parks, recreation, culture and library master
plan/public safety by focussing on improving the quality of our recreation
facilities.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED
Finance.
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Barbara M. Roth Brenda Librecz
Director of
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix 1 – Powerpoint presentation on Liquid Chlorine with UV
Q:\Recreation\REPORTS\UV
final.doc