The natural swimming ponds at Castlegar’s Millennium Park are now open.

The city voluntarily closed the ponds on May 25 following tests showing the presence of chlorine. Chlorine is a chemical element typically used for disinfectants and bleaches.

The city has not been able to determine how the cholorine was introduced to the ponds, but it was not done by the city itself.

“We are very happy to be able to open the ponds in time for the long weekend,” says the city’s municipal services director, Chris Hallam. “We hope residents will enjoy the ponds and everything Millennium Park has to offer.”

Due to the natural state of the ponds, visitors may notice algae which is a naturally occurring water plant.

The city says that while it may not look pretty, the algae is not harmful to people and does not indicate poor water quality.

The city follows the Canadian Recreational Water Guidelines and regularly tests the natural ponds’ water quality and submits the results to Interior Health Authority for review.

READ MORE: A look at Castlegar’s 2022 finance and salary reports

betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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