Aquanation Ringwood calls for better supervision after toilet incidents close pools

Parents have been told to keep a closer eye on their children at a popular Melbourne pool after ‘unplanned incidents’ caused a series of closures.

The leisure pool at Ringwood’s Aquanation has been closed four times in March due to ‘toilet incidents’. File picture.

A major Melbourne swimming centre has been hit by a string of closures due to ‘toileting’ issues from young swimmers.

Ringwood’s Aquanation, operated by Maroondah Council, has shut its leisure pool four times this month due to ‘unplanned incidents’ affecting the water quality.

The incidents, on March 8, 9, 11 and 15, forced staff to close the pool for the remainder of the day for extra cleaning.

Pools at Ringwood’s Aquanation has been closed four times in March due to a string of toilet-related issues. Picture: Kiel Egging.

The closures led to comments from followers of Aquanation’s Facebook page on the announcements including ‘code brown’ and ‘What, another floater? Seriously are parents watching their kids?”

A day after the fourth incident, Aquanation advised there had been a number of recent closures “due to toileting ‘accidents’ in the pool”.

It issued a warning with a graphic containing the caption: “Don’t let a little poo shut down the pool”.

A warning issued by Maroondah Council and Aquanation management following a string of pool closures in March 2023. Picture: Aquanation Facebook page.

Management urged parents with young swimmers to use the bathroom before getting into the water and to fit babies and young children who weren’t toilet trained with a swim nappy.

On Monday, the pool also stated it was aware of a gastro outbreak in the community, and advised any families affected to not visit for at least 48 hours after their household had recovered.

Aquanation is not the only swimming centre in Melbourne’s east marred by recent issues, with Kilsyth’s Centenary Pool closed by Yarra Ranges Council due to ongoing vandalism to its inflatable dome cover.

The council said the vandalism and structural issues related to the dome required further investigation, and it had yet to announce a reopening date.

Whitehorse Council also announced this month it would look for a new private operator for its two council-run Aqualink pools in Box Hill and Nunawading.

Maroondah Council has not responded to requests for comment.