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The Atkinson Pool was closed last week and remains closed until “further notice” according to the Sudbury Park and Recreation Department. Multiple Town departments are working to resolve the situation, according to Health Director Vivian Zeng.
Amid community concerns about the safety of the indoor pool, Sudbury Weekly reached out to the Sudbury Health Department. Zeng provided a detailed update to Sudbury Weekly:
“The Atkinson Pool is currently closed to address water chemistry issues related to combined available chlorine (CAC) levels.
In pool water chemistry, combined available chlorine refers to chlorine that has reacted with nitrogen-containing compounds like sweat, body oils, and urine. When chlorine is first added to a pool, it exists as free available chlorine. Free chlorine actively disinfects the pool water. When free chlorine encounters substances introduced by swimmers, it forms chloramines – a type of combined chlorine.
Chloramines can produce several unwanted effects, such as the strong “chlorine” odor in indoor pools, which can cause eye and skin irritation, and respiratory discomfort. Because of their negative impact on water and air quality, maintaining low combined chlorine levels through proper pool maintenance, HVAC maintenance, and other measures as needed is crucial for a healthy swimming environment.
The Health Department, in collaboration with the Facilities Department and Parks & Recreation Department, are actively assessing the required measures to address elevated combined chlorine levels at the Atkinson Lap Pool. Further testing is underway, and we anticipate having more information soon to determine the appropriate next steps.”
While a reopening date is still unknown, the Town departments are making it clear that they are prioritizing public health and safety. The Health Department has a track record of taking water quality very seriously under Zeng, including a pond closure last summer at Camp Sewataro when cyanobacteria levels surged above allowable levels.
The planned renovation of the Atkinson Pool went out to bid recently, and those bids are due back to the Town soon. The timeline for that work was designed not to interfere with the winter swim team season. If any of the components of that project are indeed part of the fix for the issues recurring at the pool, swimmers would likely have to wait until next swim season for a permanent solution. The renovation was approved at Annual Town Meeting in May of 2024, but has faced funding challenges along the way.
As for a near-term fix, swimmers and swim teams will have to wait to see if the Town can come up with a solution that allows them to reopen the pool.
UPDATE 1/17/2024
On Friday, January 17, the Park and Recreation Department issued the following update:
Town of Sudbury Provides Update on Atkinson Pool Closure and Next Steps
Sudbury, MA – The Town of Sudbury is providing an update on the temporary closure of the Atkinson Pool due to water quality and air quality concerns. The safety and comfort of our swimmers remains our highest priority.
Current Status
Routine testing Wednesday 1/8/2025 identified elevated levels of chloramines in the pool water. Chloramines form when chlorine interacts with contaminants like body oils, sweat, and urine. Although common in pool environments, high levels can negatively affect air and water quality, necessitating corrective actions. Currently, chloramine levels are at 0.4 ppm Friday 1/17. Maximum allowable chloramine levels are 0.2 ppm per state code. The Pool will remain closed until further notice.
Since the closure, the Town has taken the following steps:
Shock Treatment: This is a regular routine maintenance performed at all pools when the chloramine value exceeds .2. Normally, shocking the pool brings down the chloramine level to an acceptable range. However, in this case, shocking did not bring the value < .2. We then shocked another additional time and unfortunately got the same results. (Sometimes this process needs to be repeated to bring the value down) We are actively discussing a third treatment to see if that lowers the chloramine level.
Ventilation Improvements: Operate the four large industrial ventilation fans continuously to improve air circulation. A technician will evaluate the air system, as proper exhaust is critical to addressing chloramine buildup.
Consultation with Experts: Engaged pool maintenance professionals to explore short-term and long-term solutions. Notably, a comprehensive upgrade is planned for August, 2025 as approved by the May, 2024 Town Meeting.
Next Steps
To address the issues and facilitate reopening, the Town will:
- New UV Filtration System will be ordered.
- The UV system, designed to break down chloramines, has been ordered and is expected to be installed within 3–4 weeks.
- UV filtration effectively reduces chloramine levels and improves overall water quality.
- We will to continue to closely monitor the Chloramine levels
- The pool must meet Board of Health (BOH) standards by maintaining chloramine levels below 0.2 ppm for reopening.
Estimated Timeline
- UV Installation: Targeted for completion by mid-to-late February.
- Reopening: If chloramine levels meet BOH standards following the UV filter installation, the pool will reopen promptly. In the meantime, staff will continue testing and consulting pool maintenance professionals to reduce chloramines and improve air quality before the UV system is installed. We continue to explore all other short term options so we can potentially open the pool earlier.
Ongoing Updates
The Town is committed to transparency and will provide updates via the Town’s website, email notifications, and social media platforms as new information becomes available.
We recognize the inconvenience this closure causes, especially during the busy winter season. The safety of our patrons is our highest priority, and we thank you for your understanding as we address these challenges.
Thank You for Your Patience.
For further updates, please visit the Sudbury Park & Recreation website or contact the Atkinson Pool at 978-443-1092.