Contractor sought to reduce bathing pool leak

A contractor is being sought for exploratory works aiming to reduce the number of leaks at one of Guernsey's bathing pools.

The States said it was likely the bathing pools have always leaked to some extent but the current extent of leakage had reduced the depth of the Ladies' Pool by about 30cm (1ft) between tides.

It was very difficult to make granite walls completely watertight, especially when submerged twice a day and exposed to the elements, it said.

The deadline for the submission of tenders is 12:00 GMT on 17 February with the aim for the work on the Ladies' Pools at La Vallette to be carried out between 13 April and on 3 July.

A lot of the leakage could be seen at weathered mortar joints which could usually be dealt with by repointing, the States said.

It added some areas the path of leaking water appeared to include fissures in the foundation rock, or voids at the interface between the rock and the granite wall and the works would look to address this.

Jim Robinson, director of the natural environment, said: "While it may not be realistic to expect to entirely seal this kind of historic structure, these works will help us understand the art of the possible so that we can make improvements and enhance this much-loved community asset."

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