Code browns: Auckland's filthiest public pools revealed

Thursday, 13 February 2020

There have been 238 code browns recorded at 24 Auckland Council-run pools from September to January.

Contamination from faeces and vomit has forced the closure of Auckland public pools more than 238 times in the past five months.

Figures released under the Local Government Official Information Act (LGOIMA) revealed pools in West Auckland, Albany, Pakuranga, Māngere and Whangaparāoa were Auckland's dirtiest in terms of code brown incidents since spring.

There have been 238 code browns recorded at 24 Auckland Council-run pools from September to January, mostly in toddler, learners and leisure pools.

West Wave Pool in West Auckland has had more code browns than any other public pool since September.

The code browns, a council term for hazardous substance incidents of solid poo, diarrhoea or vomit in pools, forced almost 70 closures during that period.

**READ MORE:

Code brown is a council term for a hazardous substance incident in a pool (file photo).

* More than 250 code browns recorded at Auckland pools in five months

* 'Code browns' continue to force multiple closures of Christchurch's newest pool

* Christchurch public pool closed following possible 'code brown'**

A code brown could force the closure of a pool from at least an hour to more than six hours, depending on the extent of the incident and treatment required.

There have been 69 code browns this summer and 20 in January alone.

Auckland Council says any code brown causes significant disruption to customers.

West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre in Henderson was the region's most dirtiest, with 56 code brown incidents, 27 of which forced facility closures for the rest of the day following the incident.

The closures were mostly from solid contamination but there were a few cases of vomiting and liquid contaminations.

West Wave's worst incidents were recorded in November.

Albany Stadium Pool, which recorded the most code browns for the same period last year, has had only 25 incidents so far.

Code browns were also reported at the following Auckland pools: Lloyd Elsmore, Moana Nui a Kiwa, Stanmore Bay and Mt Albert Aquatics Centre.

The only pool without a code brown incident was Grey Lynn Paddling Pool.

The council said it works to raise awareness among customers about appropriate use of pools and warns them to stay away if they had been unwell.

Young children are also expected to wear swim nappies at all times.

AUCKLAND'S DIRTIEST POOLS SINCE SEPTEMBER

West Wave Pool 56

Albany Stadium Pool 25

Lloyd Elsmore Pool 15

Moana Nui A Kiwa Pool 14

Stanmore Bay Pool 14

Mt Albert Aquatics Centre 13

Otahuhu Pool 12

Onehunga War Memorial Pool 11

Glenfield Pool 11

Cameron Pool 11.