South Australian public swimming pool closed during school carnival after reports of electrical shocks

On February 6, staff at Balaklava Swimming Pool in South Australia received reports from swimmers of low voltage electrical current in and around the pool during the Balaklava High School Swimming Carnival.

The pool management contractor Belgravia Leisure exercised caution, notifying the high school immediately, and evacuating and closing the pool and cancelling the swimming carnival.

Wakefield Regional Council Mayor Rodney Reid says that the council staff attended the site to liaise with Belgravia and SA Power Networks to find the source of the incident, and that SafeWork SA was notified.

“SA Power Networks were at the swimming pool over the weekend monitoring power in and around the pool and swimming pool grounds,” he says.

“The pool will remain closed until Council, SA Power Networks, SafeWork SA and Belgravia Leisure address any issues to ensure the pool can safely reopen.”

The council’s other facilities, Owen and Hamley Bridge swimming pools, remain open and are able to cater to the Balaklava community while the pool is closed.

“Safety at our pools is paramount, ensuring the patrons safety always comes first. Closing the pool was necessary to address any potential danger and we trust Belgravia’s lifeguards made the right call – especially with how many patrons were at the pool for the swimming carnival,” he says.

“It’s a shame the students couldn’t finish their carnival, but safety always come first.”

Belgravia Leisure and Wakefield Regional Council will keep the community informed as to when the pool will reopen. Currently there is no set date for reopening.

IMAGE: Illustrative only of a swimming carnival. AdobeStock