Certikin's ground-breaking new filtration media OC-1 has received a great reception in Australia. 

Certikin's ground-breaking new filtration media OC-1 has reached Australia where, with its high ratio of pools to population, it has received a great reception. 

The highly popular Willoughby Leisure Centre, located on the lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, is a wonderful example of how OC-1 is revolutionising swimming pool filtration not just here in the UK but all over the world. Read on to discover how it is helping the Centre save more than $14,000 and 1 million litres of water per year.

The Willoughby Leisure Centre 

Opened in 1990, Willoughby's sporting and recreation facilities are well used, hosting more than 540,000 visitors each year. Last year, work got underway to introduce a number of upgrades with the aim of giving the much-loved centre a make-over and reduce its environmental footprint.

As with any large leisure centre, the Willoughby has a high demand for gas, electricity and water. In order to lose a few tonnes of CO2from its carbon footprint the Centre is currently undertaking the following sustainability exercises: OC-1 filtration system, efficient lighting, hot water pump, rainwater harvesting, solar heat water, UV water filtration system and co-generation system.

Combined, these energy conservation measures offer a carbon saving of over 900 tonnes of CO2 - saving enough coal to fill up the centre's swimming pool.

Certikin is proud that its OC-1 is playing an integral part in the centre's ecological refurbishment. In the first project of its kind in Australia, AstralPool (Part of Fluidra with Certikin) supplied the ground-breaking media and engineering contractors Roejen NSW set about its installation.   

spa pool filter media oc1

OC-1 as new pool filtration system

The plastic filtration system uses settlement rather than the traditional entrapment method to more efficiently remove micro particles from water. In addition to keeping the heated spa and pool water clean and fresh, the new system provides savings in water, chemicals, heat loss and electricity, resulting in less downtime and an overall improved experience for patrons.

The OC-1 filtration system for water and electricity savings 

The manager of the Willoughby Leisure Centre reports: "Water quality has improved through a  25% increase in turnover of the pool water, or about 18 extra turnovers each day. Pump speeds were able to be reduced from 50Hz to 42Hz, saving 70,000 kW/hour per annum or about $14,000 a year. Clients are reporting that the water feels better. This is from people who don't know the filter media has changed!"

Savings in the Spa pool 

Status

Sand Media

OC-1 Media

Comments

Operational flow

51m3/hr

64m3/hr

Increase flow by 20%

Backwash frequency

Once per week

Once per month

Backwashing frequency reduced

Backwash volume

4,500 litres

2,300 litres

Saves over 200,000 litres per year

Temperature loss over backwash

15.5°C (28°F)

2.2°C (4°F)

Temp. loss reduced per backwash limiting downtime

Savings in the main pool

Status

Sand Media

OC-1 Media

Comments

Operational Flow

Same

Same

Turnover unchanged

Pump Speed

50Hz

42Hz

Saving approx. 70,000kW

($14,000 AUS)

Backwash volume

1,400,000 litres per year

360,000 litres per year

Saving over 1,000,000 litres of treated / heated water per year

OC-1 filter media: manufactured and exclusively distributed by Certikin

Since Certikin announced its worldwide exclusive distributorship of OC-1 three years ago, the filter media for swimming pools has acquired a growing fan base and is now being tested and used in over 40 countries worldwide. It fits perfectly the trend of energy efficient 'green' products into the  current market. 

Certikin's British manufactured OC-1 filter media is tearing up the textbook on traditional methods of entrapment filtration. In contrast, OC-1 works through settlement and cleverly harnesses advances in pump technology and variable speed pumps/controllers to make massive energy savings. 

How OC-1 saves money and water

By replacing commonly used media (such as sand and glass) with OC-1 it is possible to reduce the head loss in the filtration system; filter with a constant flow (regardless of debris entrapment) and significantly reduce running energy costs whilst still filtering to the equivalent standard as it can be used with a smaller pump or a variable speed pump or controller. OC-1 filtration media is suitable for use on all pools and spas, be they domestic, commercial or hydrotherapy. 

It is easy to convert an existing sand filter for use with OC-1 with a simple lateral modification. Further details of the conversion can be found at  www.oc-1filtrationmedia.com

Certikin's Commercial and International Manager, Steve Nelson says: '"OC-1 is a change in mind set. Since the launch of OC-1, we have had superb feedback and have new installations and the upgrading of existing sand filters every week. The advantages for the installers are beginning to be fully appreciated."