The SPLASH! Environmental Awards – the world’s only environmental awards for the swimming pool, spa and aquatics industries – were presented at a gala dinner on the Gold Coast in late July.
The aim of the Awards is to encourage and recognise environmental achievements in the Australasian swimming pool, spa and aquatics industry. SPLASH! hopes that the Awards will encourage others to emulate the great work done by the winners and finalists; and also project a better image to the wider public though this recognition. The Awards are supported by Foundation Sponsor Sunbather Technologies.
In total, 19 winners, finalists and encouragement awards were handed out to all sectors of the industry – from pool designers and builders to pool shops, from local council pools to theme parks, from humble inventors to large international manufacturers.
Major Awards
SPLASH! Environmental Project of the Year
The major project award this year went to Gosford Olympic Pool.
The project is a renovation of a 1950s public Olympic outdoor swimming pool on the New South Wales Central Coast.
As with many pools of this age, the Gosford Olympic Pool faced the challenge of an aging infrastructure and needed to lessen the impact of the pool operations on the environment while fulfilling the demands of the local community.
By establishing a sophisticated Triton backwash plant which includes a reverse osmosis system and a 170,000 litre water storage system, the water requirements of the swimming pool have been reduced by an enormous 90 per cent. It is estimated that the combined system will save more than 4 million litres of town water each year. This is especially beneficial as Gosford area has suffered from severe water shortages.
Additionally, the renovation reduced the energy requirements for the pool by installing a solar heating system and using high quality pool blankets which enables the pool to shut down the boiler from October through to March each year, while maintaining the pool water at the desired 25-26 degrees. Additionally, a new gas heater with a titanium heat exchanger was added to the system.
They are in the process of adapting the solar system so it can also heat the indoor pool water, resulting in a further 50 per cent reduced requirement for the gas boiler.
The judges were impressed that this type of renovation could be applied to existing pools of a similar age – of which there are a great number across Australia. Therefore, this project could have a very substantial influence on water and energy use in the aquatics industry.
SPLASH! Environmental Product of the Year
The major product award went to Waterco for its MultiCyclone pre-filter.
MultiCyclone is an Australian innovation which filters the water prior to it going to the main filters, reducing the load on the filter and therefore the amount of backwashing required.
An average sand filter may use more than 8000 litres for backwashing each a year. This can be vastly reduced by using the cyclonic pre-filter, which itself only needs 15 litres of water to purge. Potential water savings are estimated at about 7000 litres per year for an average pool.
The judges were impressed that this product is economically priced and as such is something that most existing and new pool owners could benefit from.
The judges also wanted to make sure Pentair received a special mention for its Intelliflo VF pump
Project awards
Residential Pool (Outdoor)
Sponsor: Sunbather Technologies
Winner: A Total Concept (Landscape Architects)
The winning pool was designed by A Total Concept Landscape Architects and built by Pride Pools.
The judges found this pool to be the best entry, as it covers all the criteria: energy efficiency, water efficiency, chemical efficiency as well as noise minimisation and re-use of excavation material.
It has an automatic slatted swimming pool cover, which can have a very substantial effect on water efficiency as well as energy efficiency by minimising heat loss. The fact that the cover is automatic is an advantage, as the convenience means it is more likely to be used by the owners, therefore maximising the benefits. The pool cover also assists with keeping dirt, leaves and organic matter out of the pool. This helps reduce chemical and filtration requirements, which in turn reduces chemical usage, and water usage through less need for backwashing.
The pool features a 10,000 litre underground rainwater tank linked to a Davey Rainbank rainwater management pump. The water is used for pool top up, as well as watering the garden and lawns, and toilet flushing.
It features a glass fence which reduces wind-borne evaporation, and a Hurlcon sand filter with Zelbrite filter media which reduces the required frequency of backwashing and therefore the volume of lost backwash water. The garden features waterwise plants and native varieties.
The pool is heated via Autumn solar. The Remco pool cover, glass fencing and planted windbreak reduce wind-borne heat loss and maximise the effect of the solar heating. Additionally, pool siting and interior colour were chosen with thermal efficiency in mind. Lighting is by AquaStar low-voltage LED lights.
The pool utilises twin pumps to enable more efficient and economical use of power. The pool equipment is situated under the house to make it quieter for use at off-peak times, and the excavated material was re-used in the landscaping.
The pool has a wet edge, which is very attractive but can increase water loss. However, the judges decided that the water-friendly features of the pool outbalanced the negatives. One judge commented that the pool cover and water tank actually enabled the use of a wet edge. Additionally, the pool features a winter mode for the balance tank so it can be turned off.
Encouragement Award: Placid Pools
This is a natural pool project, which uses biomass media beds to filter the water and carry out the vast majority of the sanitisation.
The concept is based on a European natural biomass system, which includes the use of specific plants to assist with the sanitisation process. It has been further developed by Placid and adapted to the Australian environment.
The judges found this project very interesting, but felt they needed more information to be able to judge it more accurately. The main environmental positive effect was to do with chemical usage, while water and energy efficiency had a lesser impact in this particular project.
However, the judges found the concept something very much worth keeping an eye on. They acknowledged that at the present time, this system would be for a niche market – limiting its overall impact on the swimming pool industry. However, the judges believed in the future and with development the concept could become more widely used and have a greater impact for more pool owners.
Commercial Pool or Aquatic Centre (Outdoor)
Sponsor: AstralPool
Winner: Gosford Olympic Pool
(see above – SPLASH! Environmental Project of the Year)
Finalist: Kuranda Aquatic Centre
The Kuranda Aquatic Centre was built by Placid Pools and is the first commercial swimming pool in the world equipped with MagnaPool mineral water technology.
The MagnaPool system provides superior filtration efficiency of less than 3 micron as a result of constant micro-flocculation and coagulation via hydroxination. The system includes the use of Diamond Kleen recycled glass filter media in four Waterco 1400 SMDD deep bed filters.
In combination, this advanced sanitisation and filtration resulted in the requirement for only four backwashes in the past 12 months, indicating a saving of 1 megalitre of water from backwashing each year. Additionally, the backwash water has been used to irrigate an adjacent orchard. The MagnaPool sanitisation system results in backwash water containing potassium and magnesium – which can be beneficial for plants, rather than traditional sodium which could add to the salinity of the soil.
Additionally, the pool also has a reduced demand for acid as the by-product of hydroxination (magnesium hydroxide) has a pH of 9, compared with the by-product of chlorination (sodium hydroxide) which could be as high as pH 14.
The Kurunda swimming pool utilises a number of other water and energy saving features, including total coverage with Daisy soft pool covers.
Energy efficiency is maximised by using 100mm pipe all round, and heating the pool with Poolrite PoolTherm heat exchangers from May to August. The pool also utilises an in-floor circulation system for more efficient circulation of chemicals.
Finalist: WhiteWater World
This popular Gold Coast water park utilises a number of water saving processes and systems that reduce water consumption dramatically. The main aspect of the system is regenerative media filtration or RM. The Neptune Benson RM filtration system slashes annual water wastage from backwashing by an estimated 3 million litres if compared to traditional sand filtration systems.
Additionally, WhiteWater World houses two detention ponds designed to capture and store rainwater run-off. These ponds hold 600,000 litres each and are used to irrigate the park’s landscaping system, gardens and grassed areas. Each pond fills to capacity during rain periods and takes several months to empty.
Other water saving initiatives include maximum capture of splash-out and run-off for treatment and re-use, and the extensive use of shading to reduce evaporation and increase customer comfort.
Commercial Pool or Aquatic Centre (Indoor)
Sponsor: Supreme Heating
Winner: Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
The Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre was originally built in 1961, but was re-built prior to the Sydney Olympic Games as a venue for water polo. From that point, the centre consisted of five pools plus a multi-purpose indoor sports stadium.
However, the water efficiency was still lacking. This was addressed by a recent series of water saving initiatives. Prior to the implementation of these initiatives, the centre’s use of potable water was averaging 146.6 kilolitres per day. Following the initiatives, the centre uses only 58.5 kilolitres per day, despite an increase in patronage.
This represents a 67 per cent decrease in water usage per patron, and a 60 per cent decrease in total usage. The initiatives included the installation of a Prominent reverse-osmosis backwash water recycling plant that allows the RALC to reuse approximately 65 per cent of backwash water that was previously sent to waste; and the installation of a 220,000 litre rainwater tank for topping up the balance tanks of the pools after going through the RO plant.
Other measures include changing the disinfection of the two large pools from chlorine and ozone to chlorine and UV, plus the installation of flow restrictors in taps and showers, as well as a waterless urinal.
The judges were impressed that this type of renovation could be applied to existing pools of a similar age – of which there are a large number across the country.
Pool Shop Award
Sponsor: Phoenix Pool Equipment
Winner: Poolside Frankston
Poolside Frankston won a Highly Commended in the 2008 Awards, and this time they’ve come back with some more activities under their belt. In the intervening time they have increased their commitment to spreading the word about environmental friendly practices and products for pool owners in person, in the press and also through the electronic media. For example, the shop owner has been a special guest on 3AW, promoting the Water Neutral Pool Shop program and answering questions about environmental practices in the industry.
They have more Water Neutral Pool-compliant pool owners on their books than any other pool shop, and plan their pool services in clusters to minimise fuel consumption.
While the judges were satisfied that Poolside Frankston had done enough this time to deserve the Winner’s Award, they feel that the category is still lacking. As one judge said, “This is a crucial category because it is the most direct interaction with pool owners, and so there is the greatest potential to bring about positive change.”
The judges appealed to more pool shop owners to demonstrate positive change and to enter the next Awards in 2012.
Product Awards
Energy Saving Product
Co-Winner: Pentair for the Intelliflo VF
The computer-controlled Intelliflo VF variable speed pump uses a permanent magnet motor to optimise flow rates. It can save between 30 per cent and 90 per cent of energy costs by running permanently at the ideal speed for optimum efficiency. Additionally, it is very quiet so can be run in off-peak times, and will lessen wear on other pool equipment.
Co-Winner: Fasco for the imPower
As an axial flux brushless multi-speed motor, the imPower is a breakthrough product. At its core is a permanent magnet, which enables it to operate the optimum speed for each requirement, not only saving energy, but reducing wear on filters and other equipment, and improving overall filtration and therefore the health of the water. By operating more slowly, the energy saving effects are vastly magnified. It has been matched with proprietary wet ends to create highly efficient pool pumps.
Finalist: AstralPool for the Viron P300 pump.
A very efficient and relatively affordable pool pump based on the Fasco brushless motor.
Finalist: Supreme Heating for Heatseeker Maxi.
Evacuated tube solar collection system which greatly improves the efficiency of solar heating.
Water Saving Product
Winner: Waterco for the Multicyclone
(see above SPLASH! Environmental Product of the Year)
Finalist: AIS for the Ecoline product
Low TDS in the water means poolwater doesn’t need dilution and backwash water can be easily recycled.
Finalist: Elite for the Hideaway product.
By enabling the cover to be hidden in the deck, soft pool covers become more attractive to pool owners.
Encouragement Award: Ecos for the Backwash Filter.
A backwash filter system which enables the re-use of backwash water in the pool. The judges believe it is worth keeping an eye on.
Mention: AIS for Autochlor
Enables the use of salt water for filling and topping up pools – excellent idea but limited market.
Mechanical Product
Winner: Davey for Silensor
Davey’s water cooled Silensor pump is super quiet (typically below 56 dBa), making it suitable for use at night. This means that in applicable areas, the pump’s energy requirements can be drawn from off peak tariffs. Not only does this save money for the pool owners, it also reduces the load on the power stations at the critical peak times. The pump achieves its low noise ability by using a small flow of water around the stainless steel motor shell, which abso
rbs the vibrations. Additionally, it does not need a fan, which is normally a big contributor to noise.
Finalist: Toyesi for the Multi Function Heat Pump.
Enables space cooling, ventilation, pool heating and energy recovery at the same time.
Finalist: Air Change for Poolpac.
A heat exchanger system enabling a halving of the AC plant on a typical indoor public pool project.
Sanitisation Product
Winner: AIS for Ecoline
A highly innovative Australian product enabling the generation of chlorine from the existing level of natural salts and minerals already present in fresh water. It saves chemicals as no chlorine or salt is required; saves water as backwash can be used directly in irrigation; and uses 60 per cent less energy than a typical chlorinator system.
Finalist: AIS for Autochlor
Sanitisation system generating chlorine from sea water – an excellent idea but limited market.
Lighting Product
Winner: Waterco for Britestream
The Britestream provides ample illumination for swimming pools which only use 15 per cent of the energy of an equivalent halogen light. The super bright LEDs are capable of delivering up to 352 lumens of light (for the white LED) while operating on only 15 watts of energy. Additionally, each LED has a lifespan of more than 70,000 hours (up to 35 times longer than a halogen light), reducing replacement needs and associated costs.
Spa Product
Sponsor: Pure Silk by ClevaQuip
Winner: Sunlover/Spa Industries for the AquaTemp product.
By incorporating a highly efficient heat pump inside the shell of the spa, it can recover the heat generated by the motors as well as the hot air under the spa cover, converting the energy into warm spa water and maintaining high Coefficients of Performance all year round. Sunlover estimates a saving in carbon footprint and running costs of up to 50 per cent.
Finalist: Davey for the Xcelsior product.
A spa pump, heater and controller in one unit, capturing heat from the motor to heat the spa pool water.