Pool pursues phantom pooer

The Tokoroa Indoor Pools on the North Island of New Zealand have become a dumping ground of sorts and the community is on the look out for the culprit. During the month of October the organisation dealt with eight separate incidences where faeces were found in the main pool.

And South Waikato District Council leisure services manager Heather Gaby believed it was no accident. "From time to time accidents happen however the increased frequency of this problem and the fact that it is occurring in the main pool suggests that it is no longer accidental."



If poo is found in the pool, swimmers are removed immediately and then it is cleared and treated with chemicals. The costs are "not significant" but Gaby said it was more about public inconvenience. "This is a totally unacceptable and selfish behaviour which could cause a serious health risk and is a massive inconvenience to all users."

Pool staff are handing out a notice to all pool users on arrival, between 3-6.30pm, which outlines the problem. "We are asking all users to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour. Any offender will face serious consequences," she said. The council has also put on an additional staff member who will be on duty solely to patrol the main pool.