Pools water safety action

Paddling pools across the Wyre Forest district are being fitted with special chlorination systems to ensure the water is safe for children.

Fears about the dangers from cryptosporidium, a parasite which can cause stomach infections, have led Wyre Forest District Council to splash out £97,000 on the installation of filtration and chemical systems.

The new systems are expected to be fitted in all pools which should be ready for opening for the summer, it was revealed today.

Councillors decided the systems would be better than manually cleaning and redosing the pools.

Now officials hope that youngsters will be able to enjoy splashing around in the water on some of the hottest days of the year.

Pools in Brinton Park and at Stourport Riverside have already reopened after being fitted with new automated systems. A pool at Northwood Lane play area in Bewdley has also had a new filtration system installed.

Closure of this pool through cost-cutting in 2006 caused controversy and anger among parents as they were forced to use others miles away. At that time officers claimed the pool cost £1,105 per week to fill and maintain. Last summer the council faced bills totalling £40,000 for operating public toilets and paddling pools.