Ozone Success Story: 92nd Street Y, New York City
Beth Hamil, VP at DEL Ozone
Background
92nd Street Y pool was the busiest pool in NYC in the late 1990s, and is currently one of the busiest pools serving about 1,000 bathers per day, from toddlers to seniors and all ages in between. In a pool the size of 75 by 30 feet, bather concentration is markedly high creating a challenging environment for maintaining water sanitation and clarity.
Prior to its first installation of ozone, 92Y had trouble keeping its pool water clear and Schmeltzer recognized that the chemistry sanitation was, as he put it, “as much an art as a science”. It was frustrating at times, according to Schmeltzer, because as hard as 92Y tried to give its patrons a quality swimming experience, the pool water presented significant challenges.
The Role of Ozone
In solving the pool water quality puzzle, Schmeltzer did a significant amount of research. He considered both UV and ion systems in addition to ozone, and in the end concluded, “Ozone really made a lot of sense, particularly if it could burn off the chloramines”.
He also says that having ozone gives him peace of mind knowing that the pool is less likely to be infected by serious problems like the Crypto protozoan parasite.
92Y installed its first ozone systems in 1997 and recently updated the systems in 2007. With a large reduction in the amount of chlorine consumption needed to maintain clear, sanitized pool water, 92Y now saves on its pool chemical budget. In addition, the center has been impressed by the ease of maintenance associated with its ozone systems and recalls no major maintenance issues, aside from the upgrade, in its near 15 year track record with DEL Ozone systems.
Since the installation of ozone and through his on-going acquaintance with ozone research, Schmeltzer says the experience has “solidified our confidence in having ozone”.
Specifically, Schmeltzer calls out what he refers to as “ancillary benefits” of ozone. These include the feeling that his swimmers no longer need special shampoos to wash out the chlorine, their swimming suits last longer, and their eyes no longer burn. He remarked, “The results have far exceeded my expectations” and that ozone helped improve the “quality of swimming life”.
Schmeltzer further recalls that over the years 92Y members have especially recognized and appreciated the quality of the ozonated pool after they have travelled and had to swim in fully chlorinated pools. Based on their experience with ozone, 92Y went on to install ozone in the whirlpools and again achieved a similar improvement in water clarity and cleanliness.
Working with DEL Ozone
92Y selected DEL Ozone as its ozone partner and praised the onsite assistance, expertise, and overall handling of the ozone system installation process offered by DEL VP Beth Hamil and the DEL engineering staff. Schmeltzer also noted DEL’s ability to successfully work with the New York City health department to ensure the ozone installation was in compliance with code, and he noted that DEL actually helped “write the book”’ on how ozone pools should be regulated in NYC.
“DEL Ozone was smart in the way they handled the ozone installation and the NYC Department of Health was very pleased with DEL’s input,” Schmeltzer recalled of the initial installation that took place nearly 15 years ago.
The DEL Ozone Aquatics Program is Easy as 1-2-3:
1. Request a quote. We’ll size your system according to MAHC guidelines and send a quote right away.
2. We’ll deliver and commission your pre-installed system within one to two months.
3. Begin to enjoy the improvements to your water quality and your facility right away.
