Public swimming pools across Hong Kong will be thoroughly cleansed from September 8 to 14. The five-day operation will see six to eight pool complexes close for half a day.

The Architectural Services Department will review the design of Leisure & Cultural Services Department pool facilities and inspect their play equipment and artificial turf. Play equipment found to be of high potential risk for bloodworm breeding will be removed.

The large-scale cleaning operations will now take place regularly. From September 15, each of the 36 public pools will close for half a day every week for cleansing and water quality tests will be conducted more frequently.

Affected pools will be closed from 1pm on the cleaning day, and will resume services the next morning. The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will inspect each pool.

According to findings of the inter-departmental expert working group tracing the source of bloodworms found in some pools, certain environments in and outside the pool compounds and some special installations (such as play equipment and artificial turf) can serve as breeding grounds. But current evidence does not suggest bloodworms can breed in pool water.

The study has also confirmed pool filtration systems are working normally.

Cleansing schedule

September 8: Wan Chai, Island East, Lai Chi Kok Park, Tai Wan Shan, Kwun Tong, Yuen Long, Shing Mun Valley and Sai Kung Swimming Pools;

September 9: Morrison Hill, Lei Cheng Uk, Ho Man Tin, Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Tsing Yi, Sheung Shui and Hin Tin Swimming Pools;

September 10: Kennedy Town, Sham Shui Po Park, Morse Park, Mui Wo, Kwai Shing and Ma On Shan Swimming Pools;

September 13: Victoria Park, Kowloon Tsai, Jordan Valley, Tsuen King Circuit Wu Chung, North Kwai Chung Jockey Club, Tai Po and Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pools; and,

September 14: Pao Yue Kong, Chai Wan, Jockey Club Yan Oi Tong, Fanling, Sha Tin Jockey Club, Kowloon Park and Hammer Hill Swimming Pools.