SWIMMERS were turning more to water across the Pyrenees last summer.

Avoca, Beaufort and Landsborough pool-goers avoided drinking a collective 40 kilograms of sugar, according to Pyrenees Shire Council’s latest data.

All three pools were under the first stage of a phased approach by venue operator YMCA to eliminate sugary treats, starting with a sugary drink free summer. Each venue more prominently displayed healthier options poolside, including water and lightly flavoured water.

While there was a similar number of drinks sold this summer compared to last summer, there was an increase sale of water by 787 bottles.

Of the 1008 bottles of water sold across the three pools, 480 were lightly flavoured.

This equates to 9672 teaspoons of sugar less consumed by pool-goers, according to the council..

Pyrenees mayor Ron Eason said it was great to see residents embracing healthier choices and that council looked forward to continuing the YMCA-led initiative. This is likely to be in healthier, less sugary food options at the pools next summer.

YMCA Ballarat chief executive officer Kate Phillips told The Courier in February community appetite had been welcome to the change.

“We know changing habits isn’t something done easily. Changing habits takes time,” Ms Phillips said.

More than 12,000 people visited Pyrenees pools last summer: Avoca, 4,445 visitors; Beaufort, 6,328; Landsborough, 1,339. New community-rallied thermal blankets helped for warmer waters at Avoca this season.