Case Study

Side Stream Filtration Installation and Water Quality Remediation at UK Fitness Facility

Overview

Client: Leading UK Fitness & Wellness Brand in London

Industry: Health & Fitness

Presence: Side Stream Filtration System Installation and Four-Week Cleaning Campaign

Project Overview: Improve closed-loop water quality and reduce long-term system contamination

In the health and fitness sector, HVAC systems play a crucial role in maintaining consistent climate control across training areas, swimming pools, treatment rooms, and communal facilities. Over time, even the most well-maintained systems can experience water quality degradation due to the build-up of particulates, biological contaminants, and corrosion by-products within closed-loop systems.

 

During a routine water sample analysis at a prominent UK health club facility, Newsome engineers identified signs of contamination in the closed-loop system. The presence of suspended solids and early indications of corrosion suggested that proactive intervention was required to prevent long-term damage, energy inefficiencies, and potential system failures.

The Solution: Side Stream Filtration and Chemical Cleaning Programme

To address the identified issues, Newsome installed a side stream filtration unit and delivered a four-week cleaning programme to remove debris and restore system water quality. Side stream filtration is a proven method for improving water cleanliness in closed-loop systems without interrupting normal operations. These units operate continuously, filtering a small percentage (typically 5–15%) of the total system water at any given time. Over the course of the cleaning campaign, this allows the entire system volume to be effectively cleaned multiple times, removing suspended solids, corrosion products, and sludge.

Pipework Modifications and Out-of-Hours Installation

To integrate the filtration unit into the existing infrastructure, Newsome engineers fabricated a custom stainless steel pipework assembly. This was designed to replace a section of the existing pump discharge pipework, allowing for seamless installation of the filtration system. Understanding the operational demands of the facility, Newsome scheduled all installation work outside of normal business hours to avoid disruption to the club’s services. The prefabricated pipework assembly was transported to site and installed swiftly and safely by our engineering team, with all connections and supports precisely aligned for long-term durability and performance.

Four-Week Cleaning Campaign

Alongside the hardware installation, Newsome supplied a full cleaning support package which included:

  • A high-capacity side stream filtration unit
  • Filter bags tailored to capture the specific types and sizes of particulate matter found in the system
  • Specialist cleaning chemicals formulated to break down biofilms, rust, and scale without damaging system components

The cleaning campaign was monitored by our water treatment team, with interim filter changes and water sample testing carried out to track progress and ensure the system was improving to the desired standards.

Results and Outcomes

By the end of the four-week period, system water clarity and quality had significantly improved. Contaminants that posed risks to both operational efficiency and equipment longevity were successfully removed, and the closed-loop system was restored to a more stable and efficient state.

The client benefitted from:

  • Reduced risk of long-term equipment degradation
  • Improved heat transfer efficiency within the HVAC system
  • A lower likelihood of unscheduled downtime due to fouling or corrosion
  • Enhanced system resilience ahead of peak seasonal demand

The project was completed on schedule, with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations thanks to Newsome’s out-of-hours installation and coordinated project management.

Conclusion

This project highlights Newsome’s commitment to proactive HVAC system care through advanced water treatment strategies. Side stream filtration remains one of the most effective interventions for maintaining water quality in closed-loop systems, especially in high-use environments like leisure and wellness facilities. By combining expert diagnostics, tailored pipework fabrication, and robust cleaning methodologies, Newsome continues to provide dependable and energy-efficient support to clients across the UK.

If your facility is experiencing water quality issues, or if you’d like to improve your HVAC system’s performance and lifespan, contact the Newsome team today to discuss our water treatment and filtration services.