Journalism of Courage
While the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued notices asking all the swimming pools to halt operations, much to the delight of swimmers many professionally-run pools across the city and the pools at private clubs are still operational as they use borewell water for the purpose.
The pool managers say they are not violating any civic order as they are not using water from PMC supply. “At our club, we have two borewells that supply water to the pool. We have a good filter system and hence do not even require to dry and refill pool water. However, if we are required to close down the pool, we might seize the opportunity for a comprehensive maintenance. As of now, we have not taken any decision in that regard,” said Col Rakesh Passi (retd), secretary, The Poona Club.
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At Tilak Tank in Deccan Gymkhana, an employee said that the pool services have not been affected as they use borewell water for the purpose.
Meher Irani, swimming pool operations manager, Poona Parsi Gymkhana, said that it’s a myth that swimming pools require a lot of water. “Many pools today have good filter system. The same water is filtered and circulated. The only water required is for shower and there too we use borewell water. So even if the the civic body cuts off water supply completely, it wont affect us in the least,” said Irani.
Kavita Sharma, director, Swimming and Life Saving Training Centres, The Rashtriya Life Saving Society (India), said of the 400 swimming pools in the city, only 50-60 are professionally operated with their own filter and chlorination plants.
“The rest are private/society pools which refill water frequently. It is these pools that waste more water,” she said.
In a letter to the municipal commissioner, Sharma has pointed out that if the pools are closed, the operators will not be able to cover the cost of electricity and maintenance. She has pegged the loss at estimated Rs 50-60lakh.
“The operators will not be able to pay salaries to lifeguards and coaches. Who will be responsible for this?” she asked, adding, the pools should be penalised only if they are using water from the PMC supply.
