Overview

The Hyprolyser iSEC®-3 1000 high-capacity skid electrochlorination system was used to address flood water damage to the infrastructure of the basement plant room at Lido Ponty in Wales after Storm Bert in Nov 2024.

Project detail

On November 24, 2024, Storm Bert’s flood waters hit Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, home to Lido Ponty, the National Lido of Wales, submerging critical infrastructure in the basement plant room. Lido Ponty is no stranger to storm damage after a year-long closure post-Storm Dennis in 2020, this time, however, while the flood defences, spared most of the plant room equipment – the Hyprolyser Compact electrochlorination system located beneath an equipment access hatch was water damaged beyond repair.

The Hyprolyser Compact was an essential part of the Lido’s Pool water treatment process, generating the sodium hypochlorite that disinfected the bathing water, helping to keep it safe and clean for bathers.

A sterling performance

With the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day swims just weeks away, the Lido and Corporate Estates staff immediately rallied round to lead the clean-up operations. The Council, once again in a flood aftermath, engaged the services of their long-standing pool water engineering partner, Sterling Hydrotech, to help replace the damaged plant, as it had in 2020 and again its design, installation and maintenance knowledge of pool water systems for leisure facilities across the UK proved invaluable.

“While the flood defence system had done its job, saving the plant room from the floods, all the filters were contaminated with river water and required a deep clean,” recalls Lyn from Sterling Hydrotech, “and the Compact, which had taken the brunt of the storm, needed replacing.”

“We got in touch with Gaffey who sent us their next generation Hyprolyser iSEC®-3 to replace the Compact. Generating 1000g/h chlorine, it was perfect to meet the demands of the pool. It’s a simple plug-and-play in-situ chlorine generator, that’s easy to install and uses unique technology to generate non-hazardous <1% sodium hypochlorite.

“The new iSEC®-3 retained the Compact’s benefits but added game-changing features like its unique Adaptive Response Technology ensuring consistent performance despite temperature swings. It also had remote monitoring for convenience and efficiency. “Gaffey’s technical support was second to none,” Lyn notes, “with swift delivery, we were able to install and commission in just 10 days”.

“The smaller footprint, the new iSEC®-3 allowed Sterling to relocate it away from the access hatch, protecting it from any future flood risk.”

Outcome

The Lido, Corporate Estates, Sterling Hydrotech and the team from Gaffey had the pool and poolside ready for visitors in 31 days. “It was a brilliant collaborative effort,” Lyn emphasises. The Lido reopened on schedule, safeguarding Lido Ponty’s festive swim tradition and proving the of resolve of all involved to reopen on time and highlighting the benefits of long-term collaborative working and partnership.