THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023
According to reports, a fresh coat of paint has been stripped off of a water park floor in Malta, Europe, after a reported increase of children getting injured.
The boat-shaped Bugibba Water Park is open from July through September, and features water loops, water umbrellas, parasols, a bucket tower, a palm spring and two water cannons for up to 50 children at once.
Enclosed areas, designated into three colored sections, reflect the height and age of the children.
The park’s administrators, Project Green, told Times of Malta that it is prioritizing safety over aesthetics.
“Safety is a top priority and as soon as our staff noticed that the paint could be slippery, immediate action was taken. The topcoat was brushed off and some of the paint got brushed off in this process. Project Green is already planning to enhance the aesthetics of the flooring for next year,” a Project Green spokesperson said.
It was reported that in the few weeks since the park opened for the summer in July, parents said that the floor became “very slippery” and that their children were injuring themselves.
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| Continentaleurope, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
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According to reports, a fresh coat of paint has been stripped off of a water park floor in Malta, Europe, after a reported increase of children getting injured. |
Additionally, the adults who were helping the children reportedly fell victim to the slippery surface.
Parents who spoke to Times of Malta also said they had been informed of infections as a result of the “murky” water being used at the park.
The water used at the park is reportedly recycled, mixed with chlorine and other disinfectants. The Project Green spokesperson said that the agency had not received any reports of infections resulting from the water quality.
“With reference to water quality, although legal regulations require water testing once a month, Project Green conducts tests twice a week through an independent third party. The regular monitoring allows Project Green to adjust the chlorine levels as required,” the spokesperson said.
Other Recent Pool Paint Issues
Last summer, the Splash Landing Family Aquatic Center in Bettendorf, Iowa, announced that it would no longer be open to the public for the remainder of the season. The decision arrived after the City of Bettendorf tried several possible solutions to correct deteriorating paint issues at the Splash Landing pool.
In June, the center had reported that it was operating under a limited capacity because of chalking paint in its swimming pool.
According to The Quad-City Times, the Splash Landing Aquatic Center was repainted by W.F. Scott Decorating Inc. of Rock Island in September 2021. However, just hours after the pool opened on May 30, it was again closed due to cloudy water keeping patrons and lifeguards from seeing the bottom of the pool.
Per Iowa’s state health codes, public pool water must be clear enough to see the bottom for potential markings like lines or depth numbers. After investigating the issue, city staff determined that the issue was with the paint used by the coating contractor.
According to the Splash Landing Family Aquatic Center the following month, no signs of improvement were observed after trying several possible solutions recommended by paint manufacturers to mitigate the deteriorating paint issue at its Splash Landing pool.
Due to safety concerns, city officials shared that the pool would not open to the public for the rest of the season.
Tagged categories: Coating failure; Health & Safety; Health and safety; Maintenance + Renovation; Paint; Paint and coatings removal; Paint defects; Program/Project Management; Projects - Commercial; Safety; Swimming Pools
