The municipal baths in Sundbyberg, outside Stockholm, offer opportunities for exercise and relaxation for people of all ages. This public facility has two swimming pools with different water temperatures and a paddling pool for children. The baths receive some 500 visitors per day, totalling about 160,000 bathers each year.
Previously, all of the pools were cleaned with chlorine, resulting in high levels of chemically bound chlorine and the associated pungent odour and other side effects that were a nuisance to both staff and customers.
In the summer of 2003, tests were conducted whereby two Wallenius AOT purifiers were installed in the smaller pool, which maintains a higher bathing temperature. Pool staff were highly satisfied with the results. Using Wallenius AOT, it was possible to bring chlorine disinfection down to a minimum level while maintaining micro-biological security. Today, the level of chemically bound chlorine is as low as 0.15-0.4 parts per million. Other major benefits included a decreased need for dilution and reverse flushing of filters, entailing reduced costs for operation and maintenance. Energy and water costs have also been reduced due to the decreased need to dilute and heat the water. Furthermore, as day-to-day maintenance has decreased, the staff have been able to invest more time in preventative maintenance and service on other parts of the facility. As the environment has improved, both staff and customers feel better.
Bolstered by the favourable results, Sundbyberg municipal baths also installed Wallenius AOT in the larger pool in the summer of 2005. In 2006, the baths received the municipality's environmental award.