LIWA Aquatics has received an updated draft of the contamination response guidelines for aquatic facilities from the Department of Health (DoH)

We have created a questionnaire to be completed by you to provide your input relating to these DRAFT Guidelines.

Follow link to download the DRAFT and Current Guideline and Questionnaire here https://www.liwaaquatics.org.au/surveys/2444/

We have spoken to the DoH in relation to this matter and the relatively short deadline.

The DoH have stated whilst the deadline of 23rd July is the intitial date they are open to extend it, if further consulation is required.

We would like to get everyones comments on the draft guideline and provide feedback. LIWA Aquatics has discussed intitial concerns on this updated guideline and have listed some of our concerns below;

• The guideline has placed a blanket procedure over all events no matter if contamination is a solid stool, loose stool or vomit. The only variant being contact time for disinfection. This means no matter what type of contamination occurs (Liquid, Solid or Vomit) the pool must be closed to all activities and follow the procedure for the apporpriate contamination event.
• The guidelines do not factor in the bigger picture of aquatic facility operations. in the event even though a solid stool could techincally only require contact time of 19 mins, this may occur over multiple lesson times and cause loss in patrons and money if entire pool has to be closed (instead of sectional closures (ie toddler area) as currently for solid stool removal).
• In case of Cyanuric Acid having to be lowered to 15mg/L the suggestion of dumping water and topping up is not as easy as the suggestion sounds and this procedure could take be up to 3 or 4 days of closure to lower levels of Cyanuric Acid safely and effectively then treat at 20mg/L for 24 hours and then get levels of chlorine back to less than 8mg/L. Whislt trying to be sustainable and efficient as possible.

We have invited DoH to speak at the LIWA Aquatics Conference on a variety of topics which will include the Code of Practice and also this topic of changes.

This will also allow facilities that have already closed for the season and will not have an opportunity to make comment via this platform prior to 23rd July.

Could you please provide detailed input if you think this guideline is not acceptable for industry. (this will provide DoH a better insight as to why it will not work (if that is your feedback)

To make it easier for collation, can you please make comments in the draft guideline then upload the document (with your comments) in each section or email the amended document to me at info@liwaaquatics.org.au

LIWA will collate your responses and provide an industry response to DoH prior to 23rd July.

DoH will attend conference to discuss further on 16th August.

If you wish to respond directly to the DoH you must submit your feedback to swimmingpools@health.wa.gov.au by close of business on Friday 23rd July 2021.