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Keeping Your Pool Illness Free

16 November 2015 by Anton Leinonen

A day at the pool can be a fantastic way to cool off during scorching summer days. It can also be a breeding ground for germs that can cause illness. It is extremely important to take the proper steps to ensure that your pool is a safe place for your family and friends to play.

Recreational Water Illnesses

It is a common misconception that chlorine kills all the germs that may be found in a swimming pool. There are a few bacteria that are resistant to chlorine. Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) can occur when these germs are swallowed, inhaled, or even when they come in contact with the skin. They can cause many types of infection in the lungs, ears, eyes, and skin. The most common RWI, however, is diarrhea.

It is extremely important to know the necessary steps to prevent these illnesses and infections to keep the fun going.

Keep It Clean

One of the easiest ways to keep your pool free of contaminants is to make sure that everyone showers before entering the water. This will help cut down on the number of germs in the pool and will prevent them from being transmitted to healthy individuals.

It is also important to make sure that there is no human waste in the pool. Urine and stools can harbor a lot of harmful bacteria. If someone has an accident in the pool, get everyone out and clean it up. Encourage guests to exit the water regularly for bathroom breaks. If there are babies in the pool, be sure that they have a clean diaper to prevent anything from leaking out into the water.

Check the Chemicals

Make sure that you perform regular checks of the chemical balance in the pool. These checks should be done twice daily to keep the chemicals at maximum germ killing power. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pools be kept at a pH of 7.2-7.8, with free chlorine levels of 1–3 mg/L or parts per million. You can find testing kits at any pool supply store. These kits will come with strips that are dipped in the water and change color based on the amount of chemicals found. This makes testing the water safety very easy.

By taking these few simple steps, you can help keep yourself  and your guests safe and free of illness and infection when entering your pool. Talk to a local pool contractor for more information.

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