Going with the flow

St Clair Salt Water Pool lifeguard Paul Fairbairn is on site as filtered sea water fills the facility at high tide yesterday, in preparation for its season opening on October 1. The pool closed for winter at the end of March and has since been cleaned and repaired.

Dunedin City Council aquatic services manager Steve Prescott said the "usual" amount of maintenance was undertaken, including the replacement of broken or chipped tiles.

A new heating system was also installed. Heat pumps replaced the previous element heaters and would ensure the pool temperature was consistently 28degC, Mr Prescott said.

"It's a much better system and a lot more cost-effective," he said. The pool will be open daily for six months.