
Are Swimming Pools Really Filled with Disease and Illness?
This is not a simple yes or no answer. Though we wish it was a clear cut no every time, there is more to determining the safety of pool water on our health. So let’s look at the actual facts to help us become more educated about pool water health.
Every body of water, whether in a man-made pool, lake, river, hot tub, ocean, or even bowl of water set out on a table, is capable of creating an environment for germs to thrive and grow. This is especially true when the body of water is stagnant (not moving). This is why swamps , ponds, bogs, and some lakes are prone to high amounts of pathogen growth such as algae.
The plants/flowers and animal life around a body of water can also play a big role in what is living in a body of water. Animals bathe and relieve themselves in water attributing to harmful bacteria in water. Animals can die in water and also contribute to contaminants.
So, yes, it is possible for a body of water to carry illness causing bacteria.
What Types of Illness Can Be Found in Pool Water?
There are a handful of micro-organisms that thrive in wet environments and some not friendly to the immune system of the average human. Those that have been found in pool water include:
- Norovirus
- Adenovirus
- Hepatitis A
- E. Coli
- Giardia
- Cryptosporidium
All of these illness causing buggers and a host of others can be found in aquatic areas and be harmful to humans that swim in waters with them. Just because these germs can cause illness does not indefinitely mean that all water, especially swimming pools, are going to make a person sick. Illness causing items can be found in a swimming pool, but there are many things that can be done to prevent illness causing organisms from making swimmers sick.
What You Can Do to Keep Pool Water Clean From Illness Causing Bacteria
There are several key pool water maintenance systems that attribute to keeping pool water clean and safe for those swimming in it including: filtration, disinfection, supervision, and knowledge of pool care. All of these things done correctly will keep your pool clean and free of harmful things lurking in your water and making people sick.
- Pool Filtration
- Chlorine
- Watch What Enters the Pool
- Keep Wildlife Out
- Know About Pool Care
For more information on our pool care services in Lake Havasu City please contact us any time.