Mackay Memorial Swim Centre evacuated after chlorine spill

A conscientious lifeguard who reported ‘several tonnes of chlorine’ leaking at a public pool triggered an exclusion zone and evacuation – but it wasn’t all it seemed.

Tests on a chemical substance that spilt at a public swimming pool, triggering an evacuation and exclusion zone, have found it to be water.

Initial reports of several tonnes of chlorine that leaked from a shed at the Memorial Swimming Centre in Mackay prompted part of Milton St to be shut off as firefighters prepared to enter the grounds.

A lifeguard spotted the liquid and reported it as a potential chlorine spill, raising the alarm shortly before 7am.

A Mackay Regional Council spokesman said investigations had since determined there was only a minor leak on a pipe of the chlorine storage system.

Milton St between Gordon and Victoria St has been closed as emergency services respond to tonnes of chlorine leaked at Mackay Memorial Swim Centre on March 25, 2022. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“About three to five litres of chlorine had leaked into a contained pit, which was part of the system. This has now been rectified,” the spokesman said.

“There was also about 150 litres of liquid in a bunded area, but investigations have determined this was pool water and there was no leak.”

The pool is expected to reopen at 1.30pm on Friday.

Initial fears were raised that a chlorine spill could mix with acid at the site, but these concerns were allayed once it was determined the leak was water and the acid was tightly contained.

An exclusion zone was in place and Milton Street, between Victoria St and the Mackay Showgrounds, was closed in both directions.

Milton St between Gordon and Victoria St has been closed as emergency services respond to tonnes of chlorine leaked at Mackay Memorial Swim Centre on March 25, 2022. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Earlier Friday, Mackay police Sergeant Marcus Brown said all emergency services were at the scene with firefighters donning protective gear before entering the site.

“We’re assessing the situation at the moment and fireys will be going in to see how much of a spill there is and how they will manage the incident,” Sergeant Brown said.

“Staff are assisting QFES with the layout inside, traffic measures are being managed by us and anyone going into town for the next few hours should not go down Mangrove Rd.”

“As long as the wind stays in the direction it is and stays calm, there should be no problem for the rest of town.”

He said it was understood that chlorine could affect people’s lungs if inhaled.

After initial reports of the leak on Friday morning, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said council would be working with ICAT and emergency services to ensure a spill would not happen again.

Mr Williamson said initial fears of the chlorine mixing with acid and causing a toxic gas were alleviated after it was discovered the acid was contained “in a drum within a drum”.

Milton St between Gordon and Victoria St has been closed as emergency services respond to tonnes of chlorine leaked at Mackay Memorial Swim Centre on March 25, 2022. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“There is quite a lot of chlorine,” Mr Williamson said.

“The simplest clean up method might be to pump it into the pool, that will mean we can’t use the pool for seven days but that’s fine.

“That will be the most environmentally friendly way of dealing with this particular clean up.”

Mr Williamson said the chlorine would then dissipate in the water and the centre could be reopened within a week.

Originally published as Mackay Memorial Swim Centre evacuated after chlorine spill