Commercial Filtration of Public Area Fountains by Waterco

Public water play areas such as interactive fountains, splash pads, or spray parks have grown in popularity in recent years. When designed properly, they can enhance the built landscape and provide important social benefits to local communities. For residents of a port city in Hampshire, England, located 70 miles south-west of London, a custom-built public water attraction has not only revived an historic landmark but also created a new tourist attraction.

Protected under UK law as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, Southsea Castle is an artillery fort originally constructed by Henry VIII on Portsea Island around 1540. Not until 1960 was the castle decommissioned and acquired by Portsmouth City Council. Since then, it has experienced a number of restoration projects under the town's masterplan. This included replacing the existing raised pond built in the 1970s - which regularly leaked and was deteriorating in the seaside environment - with an interactive water feature.

Multi-jet dry plaza fountain

Fountains Direct managing director Nick Roberts, who is one of the most experienced water feature engineers currently working in the UK, proposed a multi-jet dry plaza fountain centrally placed within the existing space. Covering a 7m x 6m area, the design includes 30 vertical clear stream illuminated jets, each withindividual variable height control up to three metres high.

"The water filtration system is devised to turn over the entire volume every 20 minutes in line with Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) recommendations for interactive water features," he explains. "We faced a number of challenges with this project including difficulties with a high-water table given the location's close proximity to the sea, corrosion issues from the high salt content in the air, as well as a tight build and commission time."

Waterco's robust and reliable commercial filtration solutions

The fountain's zero-depth design relies on a number of Waterco's commercial-grade water treatment products to ensure quality complies with PWTAG guidelines and materials withstand the corrosive environment.

The system includes:

• 2 x C75 Waterco Trimline Leaf Trappers
• 2 x Waterco MultiCyclone 16 Centrifugal Filtration Units
• 1 x Waterco SMD1050 Waterco Micron Commercial Filter
• Waterco Ecopure Glass Pearl Filter Media

"Waterco's MultiCyclone technology is especially suited to dry plaza fountains, which attract a lot of debris," adds Nick. "Which helps to reduce the dirt loading on the main filtration system. This in turn lowers backwashing frequencies and, ultimately, unnecessary loss of chemically treated water."

Sterilisation is achieved with an automatic dosing system using chlorine and acid pH control complete with an in-line UVC sterilizer. Water is then pumped from a buried reservoir through the treatment system and then distributed directly to each of the 30 fountain nozzle chambers.

"We had a Legionella assessment done on the water feature prior to handover and they said that the filtration system in place was 'simply excellent' and that they could make little-to-no recommendations for any further improvements," recalls Nick.

Healthy water powered by Waterco

Waterco's commercial water filtration equipment ensures specialist engineers like Nick Roberts not only meet but exceed client expectations.

"We have used Waterco products since we founded Fountains Direct 25 years ago," he says. "The range is terrific and the quality consistently high, which complements the other equipment we use.

"Waterco is an important partner for us," he continues. "Not only can we rely on the consistently high-quality products which our projects demand but also the peace of mind that comes with excellent service and back-up support."

Waterco Europe CEO, Tony Fisher says his team is proud to have worked on such an esteemed project.

"Southsea Castle is an iconic landmark that has literally stood the test of time," he says. "We were honoured, as always, to collaborate with Fountains Direct to ensure Portsmouth City Council's 'jewel in the crown' continues to shine."