Failed water test closes city pool until at least Wednesday

Greencastle Aquatic Center

The hottest days of the season find local swim enthusiasts without access to the Greencastle Aquatic Center until at least Wednesday because of a failed water test.

The failed test is a result of a leak problem the aquatic center had battled recently, which resulted in too much organic material ending up in the water.

“One of the valves in the deep end had broken,” Assistant Park Director and Pool Manager Chrysta Snellenberger told the Banner Graphic Monday. “We had a leak and it took a little bit to find out where it was. We had ground water coming in and were constantly pumping in fresh water from the hydrant.”

Those two issues couldn’t keep the bacteria down. That resulted in the pool beginning closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and again Tuesday --- representing some of the warmest days of the year so far.

It ended up that the top of a hydrostatic valve had broken, which wasn’t discovered until park officials enlisted James “Figgy” Hardwick to use his diving expertise and help search for the leak.

The leak has been repaired but significant water and chemicals were lost in the interim.

In fact, Mayor Lynda Dunbar noted at last week’s Park Board meeting that an estimated $15,000-$25,000 worth of water was lost, according to Water Department “guesstimates.” The lost water was not metered, so an exact amount remains unknown.

A water test was taken Monday, Snellenberger said, with the results expected back on Wednesday. If the city water test passes muster, the aquatic center can reopen on Wednesday.

Until then the splash park remains open as an option with free admission.

“The splash park is completely different water,” Snellenberger noted, explaining that it recirculates water from a holding tank.

Snellenberger asked “the people be patient with us while we try to make sure the aquatic center is safe for our families.”

Prior to the leak issue, the city pool had been posting encouraging attendance numbers. On June 17, Snellenberger reported 1,588 admissions to date with two days closed due to cool or rainy weather. The aquatic center, with a capacity of 650, opened for the season on Monday of Memorial Day weekend.

It was reported 200 family passes have been sold, along with 41 individual passes and 48 passes of 10 punches.

From the period May 27 through June 17, the pool concession stand had brought in $8,591, despite reportedly having some difficulty getting product such as the cheese for pretzels and nachos.