The Seal Pool at Merlin Entertainment’s Sea Life Park in Weymouth, Dorset had a outdated filtration system in need of upgrading. In 2008, Biwater Leisure was asked to devise a cost effective solution to produce clear water in the pool in time for the summer season. The main issues were high levels of suspended solids, high nutrient levels and algal blooms. This resulted in practically opaque water with visibility of only some 50cm. Chemical treatment was not to be used as this irritates the animal’s eyes.

Biwater designed, supplied and installed a new system with a 2 hour turnover through two 1.8m diameter sand filters and a full flow UV unit. This quickly improved the water quality in the pool and the UV eliminated the algal problem in the water. As a result of this visibility through the water improved to over 3m (the depth of the pool).

An ionic injection system is also being trialled to reduce the growth of algae on the sides of the tank. These units inject low levels of silver and copper ions into the water which inhibit algal and bacterial growth.