Massive clean-up launched at public pools

A thorough clean-up in all public swimming pools will be launched this week, officials announced yesterday, following the discovery of more bloodworms.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department would 'gradually and consistently' clean all 36 public swimming pools, Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping said.

'We will perform a thorough clean-up and change the water in all public swimming pools,' he said.

The clean-up was aimed at restoring public confidence in the hygiene and water quality in public pools.

'We hope the public will have confidence in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as well as the water quality in public swimming pools. We will keep [the action] as transparent as possible,' he said.

The plan came after officers found thousands of worms at the swimming pools in Hammer Hill last week.

Worms were also found in Kennedy Town and the Jockey Club Yan Oi Tong swimming pool in Tuen Mun on Saturday. The pools were closed until further notice.

Staff at the Jockey Club pool said workers from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department had come to clean and sterilise the pool and the work was continuing.