Tough rules for hot pools

PROPOSED new rules controlling the use of geothermal pools and bores in Rotorua are expected to cause some controversy.
About 1000 people will be directly affected by what the Rotorua District Council is proposing, including those who own or operate geothermal pools or have a permitted or disused bores.
A major change will be the introduction of a maximum temperature - 40C - for all pools. The death in 2005 of Rotorua man Tane Ruhi, who fell into a 100 C thermal bath at Ohinemutu partly prompted the new rules, but the review is also a requirement of the Local Government Act.
Rotorua District Council regulatory services manager Jim Nicklin said he expected some controversy over the new rules but they were being put in place to keep Rotorua residents safe. He said people had died as a result of burns in hot pools and being exposed to hydrogen sulphide and others had been injured although he did not have figures.
"Geothermal is the thing that makes Rotorua special but it comes with a significant risk which in my view too few people appreciate."
Rotorua has about 40 commercial pools and 268 permitted bores. It is not known how many private pools and "un-permitted" or disused bores there are but the council plans to find out and keep a register.
It's proposed under the new rules that pool temperatures be checked annually by council staff along with hydrogen sulphide levels. If levels are exceeded, pools will be closed by the council until they comply.
Disused bores will have to be filled in and maintenance of bores inspected annually. Filling of disused bores as well as testing and inspections of both pools and bores will be done at the cost of the owner or operator.
At its source water at Whakarewarewa Village comes out boiling and is about 50C by the time it reaches the pools.
Whakarewarewa Village marketing co-ordinator Justin Te Hau, one of about 200 people who regularly use the village's seven private pools, is surprised at the council's proposal.
"We always keep ourselves safe, we make sure our kids are safe. We have always known what to do. We have lived here for hundreds of years. It's a safety thing that's bred into you."
Mr Te Hau said it was normally left for about two hours to cool down before being used by residents. Cold water was used to cool the baths down, usually to a lot less than 40C.


Mr Nicklin said water entering some pools in Rotorua was between 120 and 170C at its source.
The draft bylaw is expected to be signed off by the council later this month before going to public consultation.
Some Rotorua district councillors who saw the draft this week were surprised at the temperature restriction and Mr Nicklin said he may reconsider that part of the bylaw.
It is hoped the new geothermal safety bylaw will come into force before the October elections, replacing the current bylaw which dates back to 1988.