This letter is in response to an article previous published titled “The new pool gave me dry skin, a rash and probably rosacea,” published March 22, 2017.
In light of the letter published online by The Ubyssey, we felt this was a timely opportunity to share some details about the new UBC Aquatic Centre and address Ms. Anita Rudakov’s concerns.
Regarding Ms. Rudakov’s physical reaction to chlorine, we empathize with her and the related discomfort and frustration she may be experiencing. Like any other environmental situation, each individual may react differently to chlorine or any other product. We encourage anyone who has concerns about water quality to let us know right away.
Let me explain how we purify our pool water here at UBC. The Aquatic Centre’s disinfection system uses both chlorine and UV (ultra violet) as well as pressurized filter media which result in excellent water quality and higher energy efficiency.
Routine chlorination kills harmful microorganisms that can cause health-related problems such as gastroenteritis, ear infections and athlete's foot. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) requires aquatic facilities to test for free available chlorine (chlorine that is in the pool ready to neutralize harmful bacteria) and combined chlorines (chlorine that has already reacted or has been used) twice a day.
There are certain minimum levels of free available chlorine that VCH mandates be in a pool at any given time and the UBC Aquatic Centre pools meet those minimum levels. As for UV, each of the four pools at the new facility is equipped with its own specific UV disinfection unit. This helps to keep the combined chlorines very low. Combined chlorines are what may cause skin irritation in some people and these levels are usually between 0 and 0.2 — well below the VCH Limit of 1. To ensure high quality water, the UBC Aquatic Centre tests for the items outlined above, as well as others like pH, five times daily.
The systems for the new facility focus on air quality as much as water quality. The UBC Aquatic Centre is equipped with a state-of-the-art system which draws air from the surface of the water through the drains of the pool to an air purification system which then filters out any airborne residual bi-products common in aquatic facilities and recirculates the fresh air. This has a huge impact on air quality at the surface of the water and throughout the facility, leading to a much more enjoyable and healthy experience for users.
An aquatic facility is a complex building on many levels, and we will be making adjustments over the coming weeks and months. We are confident that the community will benefit from a quality aquatic facility, programming and services.
Stephane Delisle is the senior manager, programs and operations of the UBC Aquatic Centre.