The major council pools, City and Scully Park, will open from 5.30am, with Barraba opening later for the first time this season, but the Manilla opening has been delayed until Friday because major repair works to contain some pool leaks is still under way.

And problems with how backwash water was being discharged out of the Nundle and Kootingal pools has delayed their opening as well, with an expected start now of October 31.

Tamworth Regional Council on Friday described the delays for Nundle and Kootingal as unfortunate.

TRC operations manager Mike Rowland has apologised to pool users of both communities for the “unfortunate delay” to the start of the 2015/16 season but said it was unavoidable.

He said traditional methods of disposing of the backwash at the two sites have now been found to be out- dated and no longer accepted practice .

Staff had been working to put a new process in place which meets current Environment Protection Authority and NSW Health guidelines.

Mr Rowland said the proposed solution was to install settling tanks on site at each pool and it would be treated and dispersed via the existing on-site septic system at Nundle, while at Kootingal the water from the tank will go to the council wastewater treatment plant.

“Council is mindful of getting both pools open as quickly as we can by providing a cost effective solution which meets all environmental needs,” he said.

The dates of the new swimming season follows the usual practice of aligning with the start to Term 4 of NSW schools and end of their first term.

Among changes this year is the addition of up to 3.5 hours to the operating hours at Tamworth Olympic swimming pool for the shoulder season October and November.

And City will open for longer over the peak season too.

And council pools this year will also include an expanded Learn to Swim program.