By supplying the Lumiso Pooltest Expert, Palintest is ensuring that the pool maintains high water quality without unnecessary cost or complexity, allowing it to serve as a vital hub for swimming lessons, fitness, and rehabilitation.
A Community-Run Success Story
Birtley Community Pool is a prime example of what can be achieved when communities take control. After funding cuts forced its closure, local volunteers and trustees rallied to raise funds, secure support, and reopen the pool as a self-sustaining community-led facility. Their efforts have drawn national attention, including a visit from the Prince of Wales, who praised the initiative.
However, running an independent pool comes with challenges. Rising energy costs, staffing shortages, and strict health and safety regulations put enormous pressure on facilities like Birtley. Water quality testing is a legal and safety requirement, but many traditional methods are costly and time-consuming.
To help Birtley operate safely and efficiently, Palintest has provided its Lumiso Pooltest Expert, a fast, accurate, and user-friendly water testing solution that allows the team to monitor key water parameters like chlorine and pH levels with ease. This ensures compliance with health regulations, minimises unnecessary chemical use, and reduces operational costs—a crucial factor for community-run facilities.
Lewis Herbertson, General Manager of Birtley Community Pool, said: "Keeping the pool running efficiently is a constant challenge, but water quality is something we can’t compromise on. The Lumiso Pooltest Expert makes testing quick and straightforward, so we can focus on delivering a great service rather than spending unnecessary time on maintenance. It’s exactly the kind of solution community pools need—simple, reliable, and cost-effective."
Palintest has been at the forefront of water quality testing for over 70 years. From its base in the Team Valley, the company exports cutting-edge water testing solutions across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia, ensuring clean and safe water in everything from public health projects to industrial applications. Yet despite its global presence, Palintest remains committed to supporting vital community resources right here in the North East, working with facilities like Birtley Community Pool to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions.
Jessica McKenna, Product Manager at Palintest, said: "Birtley Community Pool is a fantastic example of community resilience. As a North East-based company, we’re proud to be supporting them with water testing solutions that make their operations easier and more efficient. Palintest has a long history of innovation in water quality testing, and it’s great to see our technology making a difference at a grassroots level right here in Gateshead."
More than 60 public pools have closed in the past three years, and many more are at risk. Community-led models like Birtley’s offer a sustainable alternative, but they need access to practical, cost-effective tools to keep operations running smoothly.
Palintest remains committed to supporting local and global initiatives with advanced water testing solutions, ensuring that facilities like Birtley Community Pool can continue to serve their communities safely and efficiently.