A chance for school pool operators to gain a day’s free training on best practice in pool water quality compliance and monitoring is being offered by Whakatāne District Council next month.
The quality of water in school swimming pools is something most of us assume is great – but seldom do we think about who keeps the water quality that way.
Council is inviting all schools with pools in the Whakatāne area to send their swimming pool operators along to the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall for a free day-long quality compliance course on Thursday, 12 May.
Provided by Watermark Training and Consultancy and Swimming NZ, the course is an introduction to pool operations. It provides theory and practical ways to run swimming pools correctly and practical training on monitoring water quality.
Council’s Manager Aquatics and Recreation Andrew Smith, says there are 17 places available on the course.
He encourages schools to send their pool operators and other staff to take up this unique training offer – which has the bonus of being offered free, thanks to Swimming New Zealand funding and partnership with Council. There are 45 schools in the wider Whakatāne rohe – of which 17 have a swimming pool.
“School pools are often run by caretakers who may have little knowledge of pool operations, so this is a really exciting opportunity to gain that basic understanding and practical knowledge. This course is not only suitable for caretakers but for school volunteers and principals.”
The Watermark training course will include:
• compliance requirements for swimming and spa pools (NZS5826:2010 Pool Water Quality)
• understanding of risks associated with pool water quality and management processes
• understanding of water quality requirements and corrective procedures
• basic understanding of the operation and maintenance of pool treatment systems.
Schools keen to make the most of this free training opportunity can email Andrew at Andrew.Smith@whakatane.govt.nz by Friday, 6 May. As spaces are limited it will be first in first served.