Aquatic centres can be tough on stainless steel drinking water stations.

Warm, moist air carries pool chemicals. Chlorine and other chlorides can settle on surfaces. Over time, that can cause staining, surface rust, and pitting.

If you want the best appearance and longest service life, place drinking water stations outside the pool hall wherever possible.

Key recommendations

Situation	Recommended location	Avoid	Why it matters
Aquatic centres and pool facilities	Foyers, entry areas, change rooms, corridors away from the pool hall, dry spectator areas	Pool deck, inside pool hall, splash zones, near chemical dosing or storage, areas that get frequent hose down	Pool moisture and chemicals can settle on stainless steel and speed up staining, corrosion, and pitting
No choice but to install near the pool	Furthest practical wall from splash, away from chemical rooms, away from hose down zones	Direct spray, recurring wet zones, chemical handling zones	You will need more cleaning and you should expect cosmetic change to show sooner
Ongoing maintenance plan	Rinse and wipe dry where practical, use a suitable powder cleanser (Bar Keepers Friend) for surface marks, rub with the grain	Leaving bleach or concentrated detergent on stainless steel, scrubbing against the grain	Chlorides left on the surface can cause surface rust and lead to pitting if not rinsed

Why pool halls damage stainless steel

Pool halls hold moisture for long periods.
Chlorine and other pool chemicals can settle on stainless steel surfaces.
Surface staining can appear quickly and develop into pitting over time.
More cleaning is needed to keep the finish looking right.

If the pool hall is the only option

Pick a wall away from the waterline and splash.
Keep distance from chemical storage, dosing, and cleaning areas.
Plan a cleaning routine from day one.
Expect more cosmetic upkeep across the year.

What corrosion can look like

In aquatic centres, stainless steel can start to show signs of change fast.

You may see tea staining, rust spots, discolouration, and pitting. These issues can appear earlier in pool halls because moisture and pool chemicals can settle on surfaces and remain there.

Once corrosion starts, it’s hard to reverse. Regular cleaning helps slow it down and keep the finish looking its best.

Cleaning and maintenance for aquatic sites

Follow site safety rules and use products that suit stainless steel.
Rinse and wipe dry at the end of the day where practical.
Do not leave concentrated liquid detergent on the stainless steel surface.
Remove surface marks and light rust with a powder cleanser, such as Bar Keepers Friend, and a Scotch-Brite fibre scrubbing pad.
Always rub with the grain lines of the stainless steel.
Rinse thoroughly and towel dry after cleaning.

Case study: Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre needed filtered drinking water in high-traffic indoor areas. The site also needed units near pools that could handle pool conditions.

MSAC partnered with Civiq and Elkay and selected a vandal-resistant ezH2O bottle filling station for durability in indoor swimming areas.

Set the right expectations for your facility

Install outside the pool hall where you can protect appearance and extend service life.
If a pool hall install is unavoidable, plan for more frequent cleaning and expect cosmetic change to show sooner.
If the location sits close to splash zones or chemical vapour, talk to us about alternative options.

Warranty notes for aquatic environments

Aquatic centres can fall outside normal use.
Pool moisture and pool chemicals can create a corrosive atmosphere. That can speed up surface staining, corrosion, and pitting.
We recommend installing drinking water stations outside the pool hall to protect appearance and service life.

Architecture & Design Team

CIVIQ

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