WATER clarity will be the winner of Newcastle Ocean Baths' initial upgrades, the council says, with tenders closed on the first step of the major project.
City of Newcastle is expected to appoint a head contractor at its October meeting.
The first stage of the upgrade will focus on the pools, pumps and promenades. Its second stage encompasses the concourse and pavilion building.
Deputy lord mayor Decland Clausen said upgrading the pumps, which will sit next to the retained pump station, will be able to turn over the 6.5 million litres of water in the baths within about six hours.
"Currently the pool is operated by being filled and drained once a week with no or limited circulated water in-between when the oceans are calm, as is often the case during peak-use periods in summer," Cr Clausen said.
"A new pump system with capacity to turn the pool water over in six hours will significantly improve water quality and clarity."
Water quality at both Newcastle and Merewether has become a growing concern for ocean bath patrons in recent years.
The council's acting director of infrastructure and property, Joanne Rigby, said six options for pump systems were weighed in the planning process.
"There is a lot to consider for infrastructure located in a sea water environment," Ms Rigby said.
"Currently we need to replace the pumps every three months, however we expect to get up to six years of life from the new pump system.
"Safety for our pool maintenance team will also be improved with the ability to operate the pump system remotely, minimising the need to access the infrastructure which, in the current location in large swell events, is hazardous or just not possible."
The council has put $9.5 million from the sale of the Frederick Ash building towards the baths upgrade, with a $3 million state grant further filling out the project's budget.
