The Problem: Facing Closure Due to Pseudomonas
A multi-pool leisure centre found itself on the brink of being shut down after persistent Pseudomonas bacteria were detected across all five of its recreational water units. The disinfection programme already in place had repeatedly failed to bring counts to acceptable levels, and even aggressive emergency dosing could not resolve the issue.
Widespread Pseudomonas Across All Units
Routine sampling revealed Pseudomonas bacteria in every one of the facility's five spa and pool units, with counts between 26 and 90 cfu/100 ml - well above the zero-tolerance threshold.
Existing Chemical Programme Underperforming
Despite ongoing treatment, the incumbent disinfection approach could not bring bacterial levels under control. Repeated cycles of dosing and retesting showed no lasting improvement.
Regulatory Non-Compliance Risking Closure
Under local public health rules, recreational water must test negative for Pseudomonas. With every unit returning positive results, the entire facility was at risk of being shut down.
Emergency Shock Dosing Proved Ineffective
As a last resort, aggressive chemical shock doses were applied across the site. The elevated concentrations still failed to clear the contamination and added unnecessary wear on pipework and fittings.
The Solution: ChloroKlean Structured Dosing
A tailored ChloroKlean dosing plan was designed for the entire site, covering all five units with a consistent, low-concentration approach that prioritised long-term bacterial control over short-term chemical blitzing.
Site-Wide Rollout Across Five Units
ChloroKlean was introduced to all five recreational water systems simultaneously, covering units from the smallest 3 m³ spa through to the largest 65 m³ pool.
Controlled Low-Dose Application
A dosing rate of 80 ml per m³ of water was applied to each unit - far lower than the aggressive concentrations previously tried, reinforcing the 'less is more' approach to chlorine dioxide treatment.
Simple Twice-Weekly Schedule
Treatments were carried out just twice per week, with each dose given a 15-18 hour contact window. This straightforward routine minimised staff workload while maintaining round-the-clock protection.
80 ml/m³
Dosage Rate
2x Weekly
Treatment Frequency
15-18 hrs
Contact Duration
The Benefits: Risk Eliminated, Revenue Protected
Bather Safety Restored
With Pseudomonas counts at zero across all units, the risk of skin infections such as dermatitis and folliculitis was entirely removed for guests and staff.
Lower Chemical Consumption
ChloroKlean delivered better results at significantly lower doses than the previous programme, reducing chemical spend and minimising wear on spa infrastructure.
Revenue Protected
The threat of forced shutdowns for deep cleaning was removed entirely. The facility continued operating without interruption, safeguarding both income and reputation.
The Results: Complete Pseudomonas Elimination
Over the six months following the switch to ChloroKlean, ongoing microbiological sampling confirmed that every one of the five units had reached and maintained non-detectable Pseudomonas levels (0 cfu/100 ml) - a result the previous treatment programme never achieved.
5
Spa/Pool Units Treated
0
CFU/100 ml All Units
100%
Regulatory Compliance
6+
Months Sustained Control
| Unit | Water Volume | Before (cfu/100 ml) | After ChloroKlean (cfu/100 ml) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spa 1 | 65 m³ | 80 | Non-detected |
| Spa 2 | 3 m³ | 64 | Non-detected |
| Spa 3 | 10 m³ | 90 | Non-detected |
| Spa 4 | 8.5 m³ | 26 | Non-detected |
| Spa 5 | 8.5 m³ | 36 | Non-detected |
Zero Pseudomonas Across the Board: Every spa and pool unit returned non-detectable readings (0 cfu/100 ml) within six months, bringing the facility back into full regulatory compliance and removing any threat of forced closure.
"This is a perfect example of why throwing more chemical at a problem rarely works. The site had been overdosing for months with no improvement. We introduced ChloroKlean at a fraction of the concentration, and within weeks the results spoke for themselves. Every unit came back clean, the closure threat disappeared, and the operator now has a simple routine that keeps things compliant."
Gavin Owen
Managing Director, ChloroKlean