CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nearly one year after 18-year-old Lauren Seitz died following a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, visitors told Channel 9 they feel safe heading into the summer.
Chopper 9 Skyzoom captured crews cleaning the rafting channels in the months following the tragedy, and flew over the day they reopened in March under a newly-required permit from the Mecklenburg County Health Department and some new rules.
Those include four health inspections a year, three that are unannounced.
Monday was the first surprise inspection of the year. The Whitewater Center is in compliance with those new standards, according to the report.
"Testing procedures, logging their testing procedures, level of cleanliness, how they're going to filter the water, how often they filter it." County Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour said.
He's confident these new regulations are being taken seriously by the health department and Whitewater Center
"Obviously there needed to be some oversight," he said. "This deserves and is receiving the necessary attention that it should."
The Whitewater Center sent Channel 9 the following information about their new water quality standards:
"The U.S. National Whitewater Center has worked with Mecklenburg County and North Carolina Health Department officials to develop a water quality program and standard that applies to theUSNWC whitewater system.
This new water quality standard utilizes much of the same technology and methods found in swimming pools throughout the state. This new standard was adopted by Mecklenburg County as a public health regulation in late 2016. The USNWC has implemented additional water quality methods and technology to meet and exceed these new regulations. The Mecklenburg County Health Department has also implemented an oversight and inspection program to ensure compliance with this new water quality standard.
The following is a general description of the water quality management plan now in place at the USNWC:
Filtration:
Filtration is the mechanical removal of suspended materials in the water stream helping to achieve a high standard of water clarity. By removing suspended materials, the filtration system reduces the opportunity for the presence of organic matter to accumulate and thereby reduces the chance for microorganisms to live in the water. The USNWC utilizes a series of multiple filtration devices at various locations in the whitewater channels and ponds. This system can filter to a very small particle level so as to remove microorganisms and sediment suspended in the water, and provides more than sufficient filtration to meet the new water quality standard.
Disinfection:
Disinfection is the means to kill, remove, or inactivate microorganisms. The USNWC employs two parallel sanitation systems designed to operate continuously. Both systems provide a disinfection level that is carried throughout the whitewater system and will exceed the requirements of the new Health Department ordinance.
- Chlorine - The USNWC utilizes chlorine injection systems throughout the whitewater channels and ponds to disinfect the water. These systems are designed to ensure an adequate level of chlorine is distributed to meet and exceed the new Health Department regulations.
- Ozonation - The USNWC also employs Ozonation as an additional means of disinfection. This process uses an advanced oxidation process in which ozone eliminates organics and microorganisms. Ozone has a residual effect similar to chlorine that further assists in the sanitation process."
Cox Media Group
