Virtual Conference 2021

Sharing experience and knowledge in the Covid-19 era

PWTAG’s first conference online ran as smoothly as the deadly virus which was its subject. It was an ambitious programme: reports and research from across Europe and the US. And an ambitious format: presented live (much of it recorded in advance but taking questions live) with paper sessions and live interactive workshops run in parallel – and a live ask-theexperts session at the end. With an hour of virtual sponsors’ rooms before the 9.30 start and a 6 pm finish, it was a pretty full-on day. Good value for money definitely. And £40 can still buy you access to all 14 papers and other reports.

The overall message was clear and one hopes unsurprising. Yes, pools can run safely despite covid, provided disinfection etc are scrupulously attended to and particular care taken with ventilation, hygiene and distancing. Aerosols are the big threat, as everywhere.

Some highlights

In the US, CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code is a surprisingly democratic affair. Subscribers get to vote on contentious issues. This year’s MAHC update is the subject of controversy on such issues as cyanurates and swimming ponds.

Talking of cyanurates, the MAHC’s specialist on it, Richard Falk, emphasised the importance of controlling its ratio with free chlorine. It got complicated, but the bottom line (covid in faeces) was a risk of about 1 in 180 million

Professor Spica’s paper on the Italian experience (no pool-related outbreaks) had 70 covid references from 2020/21 – none from the UK.

The news from Austria was a revelation. Legislation dictates filtration, dye testing, chlorine residuals, pH, redox – and a 4-log reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within 30 seconds. They favour process control to end-product control.

Dutch researchers have a very direct approach. Jan Bakker observed, covid tested and health checked swimmers. The only problem was the misbehaviour of young swimmers. This despite disinfection issues, including high chlorate. Maarten Keuten’s team measured aerosols directly. Recreational equipment could quadruple aerosol levels; upping outside air and fan speed could half it again.

Christiane Holler reported on the political pressures to reopen pools in Bavaria: when they did, in June last year, distancing was difficult to enforce and there were two covid cases linked to a spa. Greece was challenging too. Athena Mavridou and colleagues surveyed pool managers: half found hygiene measures difficult to apply and had often failed to install screens.

Two UK outfits – Cundall and Devin – looked into the future. Passive house seem to be bywords: a carbon-neutral pool is set to open in Exeter. Ceramic filters tick most of the boxes, though beware misleading claims about plantroom space.

Q&A

Between sessions and at the end there was a never-ending queue of eager questioners. No embarrassing gaps and much fascinating debate.