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A SWIMMING baths has been forced to close off its bathing area no less than 23 times in the past four years due to 'floaters' in the pool.

Hamilton Water Palace is the worst offender in its area after having to shut repeatedly due to faecal contamination of the water.

The last incident occurred just last month when eagle-eyed staff spotted a floater and cleared the baths.

South Lanarkshire Council revealed the extent of the problem following a request from our sister paper the Hamilton Advertiser.

The Advertiser discovered that over the same four-year period Lanark Swimming Pool was second in the pollution table having been closed 10 times due to floaters.

Coalburn Swimming Pool has been closed six times for the same reason while Carluke Pool, Dollan Aqua Centre in East Kilbride, Blantyre Pool and Eastfield Pool in Rutherglen have all only been closed twice.

The pool in Strathaven is one of the cleanest having been shut once while those looking for a swim in pristine water should head for Larkhall Swimming Pool which has not been closed at all in the past four years as a result of the problem.

Gerry Campbell, general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, says the council always shuts the pools promptly on discovering the issue in order to carry out a clean.

He said: “When this happens we close the pool immediately and carry out a strict cleaning regime to ensure any harmful bacteria is removed.

“This is carried out in line with Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group guidelines. The timescale for this can vary based on volume of pool water, turnover and chemical treatment.

“For the 25-metre pool at Hamilton, this takes 36 hours. We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers but public health is our priority and we cannot take chances where health is concerned.

“Our staff are still paid when the pool is closed and we use this time to concentrate on other areas of cleaning in the centre.”