The Village of Minster, Ohio, has installed automatic shutoff devices on the chemical feed pumps at its municipal swimming pool following a June 2 equipment malfunction that sent 14 student-athletes to area hospitals after they were exposed to elevated chlorine levels.

As previously reported by Service Industry News, the incident occurred after the pool's recirculation pump failed overnight while the chlorine feed pump continued operating. When the circulation system was restarted the following morning, a concentrated slug of chlorinated water was discharged into the pool while approximately 20 members of the Minster Marlins swim team were practicing.

Fourteen swimmers wer e transported to hospitals for evaluation after reporting respiratory irritation and other symptoms consistent with chlorine exposure. All were later released, and no serious injuries were reported.

In response, the village installed automatic shutoff devices that stop the pool's chemical feed pumps if circulation is interrupted, preventing chemicals from continuing to feed into stagnant plumbing.

Village officials said staff will continue routine monitoring of the pool and evaluate additional safeguards as needed.

The improvements are consistent with industry standards and the CDC's Model Aquatic Health Code. The Code recommends interlocking chemical feed systems with pool circulation equipment so feeders automatically shut down whenever recirculation flow is lost.

This prevents concentrated chemicals from accumulating in the pool plumbing.

Village officials have not identified the manufacturer or specific type of shutoff devices installed, but described them as automatic safety measures added to the pool's chemical feed system following the incident.

The pool reopened after the new safeguards were installed.