• With a host of sustainable design features, Sunderland Aquatic Centre will set new 'sustainability standards' for pools across the country.

• Every single raindrop that falls on the building’s roof will be collected, filtered and used in the pool – where other pools have used rainwater for showers and toilets, Sunderland Aquatic Centre is the first in the UK to harvest rainwater it in the pool water itself

• It is the only 50 metre pool in the UK designed to achieve the highest possible accreditation under the environmental standard (BREEAM British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). This is only awarded to buildings that have taken into account their environmental impact in terms of design during construction and long-term use.

• Its 11 huge timber roof beams came from managed forests in Austria.

• The pool also has a "super insulated external fabric" and a combined heat and power unit to maximise efficient energy use and minimise energy waste.

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last updated 25/03/08