Excellent water quality in Brussels’ public swimming pools
Here is some reassurance for swimmers concerned about the water quality in Brussels’ public swimming pools: the 2016 report by the intermunicipal agency Brulabo, responsible for monitoring the water quality of public swimming pools in the Brussels-Capital Region, is very encouraging.
According to this report, 97% of the 156 samples taken from the 13 Brussels public swimming pools in 2016 (Poseidon, Neptunium, Sportcity, Bains de Bruxelles, Espadon, Calypso, Ixelles pool, Nereus, Longchamp, Victor Boin, Triton, Ceria, and Neder-over-Heembeek) fully met the bacteriological standards established to ensure healthy and safe swimming.
Combined chlorine measurement
The main evaluation criterion used by Brulabo is the measurement of combined chlorine (chloramine), an essential indicator of water quality. This chemical parameter measures the concentration of chloramines, which result from the interaction between chlorine and organic matter introduced by swimmers.
In Brussels, the maximum allowable limit for combined chlorine is 0.80 mg/l. In 2016, the highest concentration observed in Brussels’ public swimming pools remained below this limit, reaching a maximum of 0.53 mg/l, down from 0.73 mg/l in 2014. These results attest to satisfactory water quality, in compliance with strict sanitary requirements.
While all Brussels pools show positive results, a ranking of the most exemplary establishments in terms of low combined chlorine concentration was established:
- Neptunium in Schaerbeek: 0.16 mg/l of combined chlorine
- Espadon in Etterbeek: 0.20 mg/l
- Sportcity in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre: 0.23 mg/l
- Longchamp in Uccle: 0.26 mg/l
- Triton in Evere: 0.35 mg/l
Other Brussels pools also show similar rates, ranging between 0.40 mg/l and 0.53 mg/l, indicating consistent and high water quality across the region.
