Poor quality of Quepem pool hinders swimmers' training

Panaji: Swimmers at the govt-owned pool at Quepem have been complaining for long about the poor quality of water, terming it as unhealthy and unsafe.
According to many of the regulars, the water quality has deteriorated over the last three months, making swimming difficult. They are also upset that the authorities have not been able to improve the water quality despite several reminders.
The pool is run by the directorate of sports and youth affairs (DSYA).
"The water is not clear. You can't see where you are moving. You could crash against the wall. I am a regular swimmer, but I fear for my safety," said 14-year-old Soha Dalal, a regular swimmer at Quepem.
A national-level swimmer who took part in the multiple School Nationals, Soha said, "Chlorine must first be dissolved in water and then poured into the pool. (Here) They directly throw the powder. It’s not of good quality either. I got rashes and my eyes hurt."
Even national-level swimmers have been complaining that their training has been hampered due to the poor condition of the pool.
Hansel Moniz, a regular swimmer with his nine-year-old son, observed that the lifeguards, who are also maintenance guys, don't clean the side lines where algae forms.
"When brought to their notice, they say it is a two-man job and avoid it. In reality, it is just a half-an-hour job. Just because it is a DSYA (directorate of sports and youth affairs) pool, they don't work as they should. If a swimmer is having trouble at the deep end, the lifeguards will not be able to spot. The pool has been kept closed regularly for maintenance, but they have not solved the problem,” said Moniz.
According to swimmers, this problem happens only during the summer.
A senior official at the pool admitted there are issues with even the pumps not fully functional.
“There are four pumps, each of which costs approximately Rs 25,000. The seniors were informed and engineers were deputed. We hope to solve the problem soon,” said the official.