“This is a difficult decision for the city,” Miamisburg City Manager Keith Johnson said in a statement. “We are very proud of our history of public swimming opportunities for the community and recognize the impact the Sycamore Trails Aquatic Center has in making summer in Miamisburg special.”
Sycamore Trails Aquatic Center, Miamisburg’s public pool, has been in operation since 1997. The decision to cancel the swimming season next year came after months of the city attempting to make critical repairs to the piping infrastructure, the city said.
In fall 2022, the city noticed an increase in water usage at the aquatic center and began working to test lines, replace parts and identify sources of water loss. Repairs were made to seven areas in the piping system that were believed to be the source of the loss.
In May, the city learned the repairs were unsuccessful and staff noticed an increase in water usage while filling the pool. Having already committed to passholders, staff, community swim associations, and residents, Miamisburg decided to continue with the 2023 swimming season while monitoring water loss for adverse impacts to the water system and to the public.
During the 2023 season, Miamisburg contracted witha company “widely recognized as the industry leader in identifying and correcting water loss in pools,” the city said.
The company tested throughout the season to identify potential locations of water loss. When it started work excavating and repairing leaking pipes following the season, it identified six additional areas with significant breaks, cracks or joint failure within the piping infrastructure.
After those repairs were made, the pool was filled to gauge water loss, but a week-long operation and monitoring of water usage several weeks ago showed that the facility was losing more water than the average loss observed during the 2023 season.
That, the city says, indicated “an ongoing, system-wide pipe failure was occurring, and previous repairs only increased pressure within the system, leading to additional breaks and leaks.”
As a result of the system-wide failure, “a significant portion of the pipes will need replaced in order to responsibly operate the facility,” the city said.
Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Davis told Dayton Daily News approximately $22,000 was spent in 2022 and around $80,000 was spent on testing and repairs in 2023.
Miamisburg Mayor Michelle Collins said the community has had a public pool since 1937.
“We sustained a few years without a pool during the transition from the old pool in Community Park to its current location, and we anticipate a similar transition as we develop the best solution for the future of the community,” Collins said in a statement
Collins said it is important to note that the water loss experienced at the pool last season did not adversely impact the water system, nor were any costs passed along to residents.
“We understand any significant water loss is not sustainable, which is why we have made the decision now, to prioritize the repair and/or redesign of the facility, to ensure we can offer this amenity to the public, while being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources, both funds and water,” Collins said.
There has been no consideration to having the pool close for good, city officials said.
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