Council approves filter and media work at aquatic center after staff flags stress crack and aging equipment

Parks staff told the council a stress crack occurred in one of the four main filter tanks at the aquatic center and sought approval to replace the damaged tank and associated media so pool operations remain within required turnover rates.

The presenter said the pool’s filter brand (Namato) is no longer in business and that the city needs a special-made replacement: “Caraco Aquatics can replace the filter, and the media of that, that 1 tank, for the the $51,002.55,” the presenter said. Staff added that the city could use existing equipment to remove the sand media and that additional sand- and-lateral replacements for the other three tanks are advisable because those components had not been replaced in the 25 years the pool has operated.

Staff recommended proceeding with the urgent single-tank replacement now to avoid risking pool closure and suggested the council consider an additional media/lateral replacement package to inspect and reduce the likelihood of future in-season failures. “If one of these fails during the pool season, does the pool have to shut down then?... We have enough to get by. If two break, where are you at?” a councilmember asked; staff replied that failure of multiple filters could threaten operations.

The council approved the immediate replacement for the stressed tank and also approved replacing media and laterals for three filters (option 1) to proactively reduce failure risk and to allow staff to inspect internals while the contractors are on site. Staff said scheduled ordering and winter installation would allow the pool to be ready for the next season.

No pool closures were required during the current season because staff adjusted valves and turnover to maintain safe operations; the approved work is intended to prevent future operational risk and unplanned closures.