A new water filtration system – the first of its kind in Australia – saved the Willoughby City Council, New South Wales (NSW) Leisure Centre more than $14,000 and 1 million litres of water in a year.
The European plastic filtration system called “OC1” can even remove particles as small as one micron – one 50th the size of a human hair – without chemicals.
Mayor, Gail Giles-Gidney, said, “It’s made savings in water, chemicals, heat loss and electricity, not to mention less down time so it’s now a better experience for Leisure Centre patrons.
“The new system uses settlement, rather than the traditional entrapment method to more efficiently remove micro particles from water, keeping the heated spa and pool clean and fresh for users.”
The old system meant large quantities of heated and treated water were lost through ‘backwash’ – the water washing in and out of the filter.
However, water quality has improved through a 25 percent increase in turnover of the pool water or about 18 extra turnovers each day.
“With the reduced downtime we were able to provide a better experience for patrons at a lower running cost which equated to an excellent result from the project.”
Pump speeds were able to be reduced from 50Hz to 42Hz, saving of 70,000 kw hour/per annum or about $14,000 a year.
Willoughby Leisure Centre is the first to install OC1 in Australia, after its success in Europe.
The new system was funded by Council’s environment levy and cost $104,000 and was installed by engineering contractors Roejen NSW in August, 2017.
