Why deep bed filtration makes sense for your leisure centre pool

According to UK Active, 60 per cent of swimming pools across the nation are beyond their expected lifespans or in need of refurbishment, threatening visitor numbers even in the face of mass public pool closures.

In line with the aims of leaders from across local government and the fitness and leisure sector, the government must direct much-needed funds towards saving these assets or find themselves confronted with more closures that could destroy vital community hubs and exacerbate health inequalities.

With a view to keeping public pools, clean, safe - and most importantly, open – it makes sense to ensure investment is directed towards leisure centre filter upgrades in the UK.

And there’s no smarter solution than switching to deep bed filtration.

Why switching to deep bed filtration is the smarter choice for leisure centres

Despite the high initial upfront cost of installing an advanced deep bed filtration system, switching to this type of pool filtration system can result in significant payoffs, including:

PWTAG compliance

Although following Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) guidance for leisure centres is not legally mandatory in the UK, it is considered the authoritative industry standard for pool water quality and can help to ensure compliance with statutory legislation.

Per PWTAG advice, the faster the pool water passes through the filter media, the less efficient it will be in capturing particulate matter, such as skin, dust, and other kinds of debris and microorganisms.

As a result, it recommends public swimming pools with high bathing loads, such as leisure centres, use medium-rate filtration, operating up to 25m/h.

Compared to standard, shallow filters, deep bed filters are a significantly more efficient pool filtration solution because the deeper bed provides increased contact time between the water and media for enhanced filtration, with many rapid filtration systems operating between 4 to 15 m/h.

These filters are particularly effective when paired with a self-sterilising and high-performance filtration media like AFM® (Activated Filter Media) instead of traditional sand.

Cost-effectiveness

Leisure centres face high demand for their pool facilities, with millions of people across the UK using them to teach their children how to swim, spend leisure time with friends, or to simply get some exercise.

As a result, council pool filtration systems must be able to effectively handle high bather loads, but in many cases the facilities simply aren’t able to keep up with this demand anymore.

According to the Local Government Association (LGA), ageing facilities and those overdue for refurbishment make up 60% of public leisure estate and are driving energy inefficiencies in the form of increased running costs and council carbon emissions.

While upgrading to this type of pool filter would require an initial investment, deep bed filtration systems require minimal maintenance and utilise long-lasting media, like AFM®, which helps to reduce long-term operating costs.

AFM® has a much longer life expectancy than quartz sand, with many AFM® installations lasting 20 years or more, according to Dryden Aqua.

Not to mention, the superior physical filtration of deep bed systems coupled with the self-sterilising properties of AFM® means a reduced need for chemicals, such as acid and chlorine, to oxidise contaminants, resulting in further savings.

Heathier, clearer water

Although the demand for public leisure centre pools is already strong in the UK, wider use of these facilities can be encouraged by ensuring the water is clean, clear, and hygienic.

This is why public pool deep bed filters, which are highly effective at capturing disease-causing protozoa such as Cryptosporidium as well as other bacteria and by-products, should be installed.

When used in conjunction with AFM®, these filters can remove very fine particles down to just one to five microns – a significant difference to standard sand filtration systems that can only remove larger particles around 20-30 microns.

Alongside helping to produce more hygienic pool water, the water will also visibly look clearer, supporting a more enjoyable user experience and encouraging the public to take more advantage of these facilities – especially as they are usually not-for-profit operations.

Reduced water consumption

Thanks to the deep bed design, these filters boast a higher dirt-holding capacity meaning they require less frequent backwashing and media replacement, subsequently reducing both maintenance and water consumption.

These water savings can be increased further by utilising AFM® instead of traditional sand. This is because the ideal fluidisation rates for AFM® backwashing tends be a velocity of 40 to 50 m/h for four minutes according to Dryden Aqua, but sand requires backwashing at 60m/h for five minutes.

This results in measurable water and energy savings that only increase over time, with Dryden Aqua estimating that backwashing with AFM instead of sand can save 50% of the backwash water.

Alongside saving councils money on their water bills, the reduced water consumption also has environmental benefits, supporting the UK government’s wider sustainability initiatives.

How can Chemsol Group help?

UK taxpayers want value and one way to deliver this value is by investing in vital community hubs like leisure centres that promote social wellbeing, mental health, and physical activity.

With some well-placed government funding, these essential public pools can be upgraded with long-lasting, cost-effective, and highly efficient filtration systems.

At Chemsol Group, we offer a wide range of deep bed filtration systems for commercial pools alongside a variety of pool filtration packages to suit the specific needs of each leisure centre.

To learn more about the practical benefits of deep bed filtration or to discuss your specific public pool filtration needs, please don’t hesitate to contact our expert engineers today.

Alongside reaching out online, you can also get in touch via phone by calling 01492 582 888 and email by sending your enquiry to info@chemsol.co.uk.