© 2025 Holmes Miller
© 2025 Holmes Miller
ABOUT THE CLIENT
SWIMMING CENTRE IN SCOTLAND
The Blairgowrie Swimming & Leisure Centre is a groundbreaking new facility under construction in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, scheduled for completion early 2025. The centre will serve both the local community and Blairgowrie High School, accommodating recreational and educational functions alike.
The centre is the first swimming pool in Scotland to meet the rigorous Passivhaus standard, aiming to drastically reduce energy consumption while providing optimal indoor climate conditions. It features a six-lane competition pool, a games hall, a dance studio, a fitness suite, classroom space, and an outdoor all-weather sports pitch.
Passivhaus buildings are engineered to maintain a nearly constant temperature with minimal energy input, which aligns perfectly with the integration of energy-efficient UV systems.
WHAT THE CLIENT NEEDED
PASSIVHAUS COMPLIANCE
To comply with the strict requirements of the Passivhaus concept, the client required an energy-efficient and sustainable water treatment solution that would integrate seamlessly into the building’s low-energy ecosystem. The challenge was not only to ensure high water quality for a public-use swimming facility but also to contribute to the centre’s overall energy-saving goals.
Specifically, the design called for a solution that could recover and repurpose energy wherever possible — avoiding unnecessary systems such as heat pumps, and instead utilizing heat generated from other operations, such as the UV disinfection process.
The water treatment system needed to meet high hygiene standards while operating within the ultra-low energy consumption framework required for Passivhaus certification.
THE SOLUTION
SUSTAINABLE & ENERGY-EFFICIENT WATER DISINFECTION
To meet the project’s strict energy and disinfection demands, ULTRAAQUA & Barr+Wray supplied a ULTRABLUE 2-2500SS DN200 UV disinfection system, capable of handling a flow rate of 205 m³/hr. This advanced system was selected not only for its proven effectiveness in water disinfection but also for its ability to support the centre’s broader energy management strategy.
In this project, the UV system is more than a disinfection tool — it serves as an integrated component of the building’s energy infrastructure. Additionally, the advanced cabinet allows reduced energy consumption, as it is capable of dimming the lamps according to flow rate, combined chlorine level, or a fixed time schedule.
Crucially, the UV system ensures high-level water safety without relying on excessive chemical disinfectants, helping to minimize chloramine formation and improve air quality around the pool. This enhances swimmer comfort and supports the long-term sustainability and operational efficiency of the facility.
By integrating ULTRAAQUA’s UV technology into the foundation of the Passivhaus design, the Blairgowrie Swimming & Leisure Centre sets a new benchmark for sustainable aquatic facilities in the UK — proving that high-performance water treatment and low energy usage can go hand in hand.
System specifications:
- ULTRABLUE 2-2500SS DN200
- Flowrate: 205m³/hr
