Summer Upgrades Underway for Puyallup High School Pool

Thank you, voters. On Tuesday, June 17th, our Capital Projects team began a major refurbishment to the Puyallup High School, which will improve its efficiency, safety, and longevity. 

The planned improvements include:

Replacement of Pumps, Motors, and Drives

• Pumps: Our old, inefficient pumps will be replaced by new, high-efficiency models. These will ensure better water circulation, leading to cleaner and safer swimming conditions.
• Motors: Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient motors will enhance performance and reduce our energy consumption and operational costs.
• Drives: Installing new drives will provide better control over motor speed and flow rates, resulting in a more stable and reliable pool environment.

Installation of New Sand Filters

• Our existing sand filters, essential for maintaining water clarity and hygiene, will be replaced. The new filters will improve the effectiveness of our water purification process, ensuring a consistently high water quality standard.

Epoxy Coating of the Cooling Tower:

• We will apply a protective epoxy coating to prolong the life of our cooling tower and enhance its efficiency. This will safeguard the structure against corrosion and wear, extending its service life and maintaining its performance.

These upgrades are a critical investment in our school's infrastructure, reflecting our commitment to providing high-quality facilities for our students, staff, and community. The improved systems will ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for all pool users and contribute to more sustainable and cost-effective operations.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we undertake these essential upgrades. While the pool will be closed during the summer break for these renovations, we are confident that the enhanced facilities will significantly benefit everyone this fall.

Thank you for your continued support, and continue to follow Foundations for Our Future for more facility news and updates.

Keep learning! 

What is a cooling tower?

A cooling tower is a specialized heat exchanger that allows water and air to contact each other to lower the water's temperature. During this process, small amounts of water evaporate, reducing the temperature of the water circulating through the tower. Cooling towers are commonly used in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, industrial processes, and power plants to dissipate heat from cooling systems into the atmosphere.

In the context of a swimming pool, a cooling tower helps regulate the pool's water temperature, particularly in warmer climates or during periods of heavy use, ensuring a comfortable swimming environment.

What is a sand filter?

A sand filter is a type of water filtration system commonly used in swimming pools to keep the water clean and clear. It works by passing pool water through a container filled with sand. The sand traps dirt, debris, and other particles, allowing clean water to return to the pool. 

Here is how a sand filter works:

1. Water Inlet: Pool water enters the filter tank and is distributed over the sand bed.
2. Filtration Process: As water flows through the sand, dirt and debris are trapped in the sand particles.
3. Clean Water Outlet: The filtered water, now free of impurities, exits the filter and returns to the pool.

Sand filters are popular because they are easy to maintain and can effectively remove particles as small as 20-40 microns. Over time, the trapped dirt can build up, and the filter needs to be backwashed (a process of reversing the water flow to flush out the trapped debris) to maintain its efficiency.