The sodden ground around the Cambridge Pool is still putting the brakes on this year’s swimming season, with no opening date in sight. GoWaipa’s Chief Executive Matthew Horne said groundwater levels around the pool are still too high and the pool cannot be safely drained, otherwise the risk is that it might pop out of the ground or, more likely, the sides might collapse from the pressure.
There are three Piezometers around the perimeter of the pool, roughly speaking these are holes in the ground allowing for a ‘dipstick’ type of measurement to check groundwater levels.
There needs to be 1.45m depth from the surface to the groundwater before the pool can be drained. The south side’s Piezometer has been clear all along, however the last readings for the east side was 46cm and the northern side was 50cm, meaning almost a metre of groundwater still needs to subside before the pool can be emptied.
The Piezometers are being checked every working day by council staff, but progress is slow. In the period from October 16 – 20 the level dropped by just 5cm.
Once the pool can finally be drained, Matt said that, all going well, it will take two weeks to get the pool up to an operational standard. We continue to monitor progress, and you can follow GoWaipa on Facebook or check their website, www.GoWaipa.com for updates.
