The interior of Queenstown's Alpine Aqualand complex. Photo from ODT files.

Queenstown is the latest swimming centre closed week after week by a serial pooper - or poopers.

Pools at the Events Centre's Alpine Aqualand were closed seven of eight consecutive Monday afternoons in February and March.

The main pool at the facility has been closed 14 times this year alone because of faecal contamination, while the learners and lap pools were closed once each.

Lost revenue and clean up costs range from $200 to $1000 a time. Invercargill's Splash Palace Aquatic Centre hit international headlines earlier this year after a mystery pooper forced its closure six Fridays in a row.

Queenstown Lakes District Council spokeswoman Michele Poole said: ''It's obviously very difficult to ascertain who exactly the contamination originated from each time.

''But due to the large number of incidents after school hours and that all toddlers must wear swim nappies, we believe it is likely an older child, or small number of children, whose parents mistakenly believe are no longer in need of toilet reminders.''

The pool can be closed for up to four hours each time - but they have been poo free for the last two Mondays. Staff are talking to parents before they swim and reminder signs have been put up.

Maree Waring takes her two children to the pool for lessons each Monday.

''It's been closed a lot recently, but you can't blame the pool. The staff are being more vigilant and it's just how it goes,''she said.

''We've been swimming when it's happened. Everyone's told to get out immediately - and they all do, immediately.''

Swimmers who vacate the pool get a refund, a voucher for a free swim, or can swim in an alternative pool. Alpine Aqualand's annual maintenance shutdown, which includes an extensive clean, takes place later this month, in two stages.