Nirvana Spa relies on Hanovia UV to keep its spring water pure

Nine pools, including the UK’s largest floatation pool, now use Hanovia UV.

Hanovia UV disinfection systems are now treating nine pools, including the UK’s largest floatation pool, at Nirvana Spa in Berkshire. Nirvana Spa is one of the UK’s most prestigious spa facilities, frequented by elite athletes and celebrities.

There are currently nine pools, each filled with pure spring water drawn from 700 feet beneath the ground. Each pool is treated with a Hanovia UV system. 

“The Celestial Floatation Pool, which is the UK’s largest hydrotherapy pool, is unusual as it contains salt imported from the Dead Sea,” commented Neil Phelps, Nirvana’s Maintenance Manager. “We match the specific gravity of the Dead Sea, and this high salt concentration makes the water very buoyant and floating in the pool is perfect for spinal alignment. Bathers in the warm (35 ºC), mineral-rich waters are removed from most external stimuli and a gentle current gives the sensation of floating in space. This provides both mental and physical benefits and many sports men and women, including International rugby players, skiers and rowers, use the pool to enhance their performance and reduce their injury time.”

“UV allows us to run the chlorine at the right levels and there is no way we’d be able to achieve the level of water purity without it.  As the water temperature is kept at a constant 35°C, which is higher than in leisure pools, there is an increased risk of infection from microorganisms such as bacteria and moulds which thrive in warm water. Microbiological control is a key aspect of the water quality and UV plays an important part in that control and bacteriological checks are carried out regularly,” added Neil.

UV is highly effective at killing any bacteria, viruses or moulds in the water, including Cryptosporidium and its spores, which are chlorine-resistant. Another major advantage of UV is that it considerably reduces the amount of chlorine required to maintain hygiene levels. This reduces problems associated with chlorine by-products such as chloramines, which are formed when free chlorine reacts with sweat or urine in pool water. Trichloramines in particular are powerful irritants which are responsible for eye and respiratory complaints and the unpleasant 'chlorine smell' commonly associated with indoor pools.