13/11/2019

Geosea sea baths won SAF’S innovation award

Geosea sea baths
© RÚV
Geosea sea baths
RÚV

Geosea sea baths has received the innovation award given annually by the Icelandic Travel Industry Association (SAF). Verkís supervised all engineering design work and consultancy during the contract period. The award was presented by the president, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, yesterday.

For centuries, the geothermal heat north of Húsavík has been known to residents, who have utilized it for bathing and washing. Drilling for hot water at Húsavíkurhöfði in the mid-20th century revealed water that turned out to be hot seawater, too rich in minerals to be suitable for heating houses.

Instead of letting this hot water go to waste, an old cheese barrel was installed at Húsavíkurhöfði. There, Húsavík residents could enjoy the health benefits of bathing in hot seawater. The water in the Geosea sea baths comes from two drillholes, one located by the cheese barrel and the other by Húsavík harbor.

There is no need to use any cleaning agents or equipment, as the steady flow of water from the drillholes, between the pools, over their edges and into the sea ensures that the water stays within the limits stipulated by health regulations.

Geosea sea baths is operated by Sjóböð ehf.

World goals

Geosea sea baths
Geosea sea baths
© RÚV