Pool complex will use own water

The Peninsula Leisure Centre is expecting to catch over two million litres of its own water each year after installing tanks, according to Gosford Mayor Cr Chris Holstein.

Four concrete rainwater tanks with a combined storage capacity of 140KL were installed on December 17, to catch rainwater from 2000 square metres of roof.

Cr Holstein said rainwater would be used for the backwashing of the pool's filters, significantly reducing the centre's town water usage.

"It's fantastic to see one of our region's most popular recreational centres doing its bit to help conserve water," Cr Holstein said.

"With a 50 metre Olympic pool, 25 metre program pool, spa, sauna, waterslide and children's fun pool, the Peninsula Leisure Centre's aquatic facilities attract over 450,000 visitors annually.

"The installation of this new rainwater harvesting system will greatly reduce the centre's reliance on the town water supply to maintain these facilities.

"The majority of harvested rainwater will be used in the backwashing process of the pool's filtration systems.

"The rainwater will also be used for topping up the centre's pools and for watering the centre's gardens and lawn areas."

The project was partially funded through a $50,000 Federal Government Community Water Grant while Gosford Council contributed the remainder.

The council has claimed a similar project at Gosford Olympic Pool last year was providing four million litres of water a year by using rainwater and recycled pool water in the backwashing process.

Press release, 17 Dec 2008 Kylie Gillett, Gosford Council