Because of rising energy costs: swimming pools are getting colder – domestic policy

Francesca Grallmann, a spokeswoman for Cologne Baths GmbH, says the temperature of the indoor pools leading to the outdoors in Cologne has dropped by 3 degrees. No procedures are necessary in outdoor pools due to “solar radiation”. With a clear conscience, whirlpools and heated pools can be heated less on hot days.

▶ In Berlin’s summer pools, the water is heated to 22 to 23 degrees instead of 26 degrees in 2021.

︎ Hessan baths cool off, too—the country is the one with the savings when it comes to energy: The Lan-dale issue made headlines nationwide, clogging warm water in all schools and gyms.

▶ ︎ Already at the beginning of April, the water temperature on warm bathing days in Recklinghausen was lowered by one degree (29 instead of 30), with the onset of the outdoor pool season, the warm bathing day was generally omitted. In two outdoor pools, the city also lowered the pool temperature by one degree – from 24 to 23 degrees.

But there are also criticisms of tiger water! Low temperatures for children’s swimming courses are “a disaster,” says Michael Ulmer (67), athletic director at the “Erster Frankfurter Schwimmclub von 1891 e. v.”

30 degrees is perfect. “Even under 28 degrees, kids start shivering, get blue lips and don’t enjoy learning to swim. That would be completely counterproductive — especially now that we can start again after Corona and we’re virtually out of it,” Olmer says. .”

Example: Nika (6) is doing a DLRG swim. Her mother says, “Last time my daughter came to me in the middle of the road because she was so cold.”

Those who treat people who work in therapy pools are also critical of the cold water. People who find it difficult to move their limbs can do so in the water. “Moving there is less painful,” says physical therapist Elizabeth Sella. “Activity is very important for health and relaxation which is why exercise therapy in water has such a great therapeutic effect. But you can’t do all that in a 19-degree pool, it’s too cold.”

‘Mostly Big Understanding’ Among Bathers – But Not Everyone Is Happy With Forced Cooling

According to the director of the Mankell Bathing Association, most swimmers approach forced cooling in an athletic way. There is “mostly great understanding”.

But there are also many critical voices: “Of course not everyone is happy with the cooler temperatures,” swimming champion Verena Metvissel (32) tells BILD. “When we had only 5 degrees at night last week, the water was only about 20 degrees the next day. Regular guests came to us – they didn’t specifically complain, but asked questions. Then you can swim in only 8 lanes instead of 20. But They’re still coming.”

Pool regular Bettina Hirsch, 64, says, “If the water was two degrees warmer, that would have been fine. I can still swim, but I’m in the water for much less time. Otherwise, you won’t feel warm at all afterwards.”

“It’s too cold for me,” retired Andrea Goerlitz, 73, from Dresden, says the new water temperature is too cold for her. “I like the warmth and don’t turn the temperature down in the apartment either.”