Summer is here and everyone wants to cool off at the pool! How have you prepared?
Public pools need to protect against and prevent recreational water illness (RWIs), like Cryptosporidium parvum and E.coli. Here is a quick checklist.
- Clean: Keep pool deck clean of debris and fix cracked tile/concrete. If there is debris in the pool scoop or vacuum it out. Ensure all patio furniture (chairs, tables) are also clean.
- Functioning: To reduce risk of RWIs, ensure all equipment is working properly.
- Educated: Educate lifeguards and staff to accurately check and adjust the pH and chlorine levels at least twice per day, especially on high bather load days.
- Secondary sanitation: Chlorine at typical levels does not adequately protect swimmers from Crypto and other RWIs. If you do not already have a secondary sanitizer in place, it’s time to get one to keep your pool safe from RWI’s.
To further protect your pool and swimmers, educate your patrons about safe and proper use of the swimming pool. Here are a few ideas to keep your pool clean, healthy and safe:
- Pool Newsletter: If you have a pool newsletter, add an article about showering before entering the water, swimming while ill, or peeing in the pool and the resulting chloramines.
- Signs: Be sure to post informative yet eye-catching signs in the locker rooms to remind patrons to shower before swimming and warn against entering the pool if they are sick.
- Educate Lifeguards and Enforce Rules: Educate the lifeguards at the pool to enforce the “shower before entering the water” rule.
- Pool Deck Shoes: Encourage people to bring shoes they only wear at the pool so that they do not wear shoes from their recent dog walk that may contain traces of dog feces or other unwanted or dangerous debris.
- Poolside BBQ: Host a poolside BBQ with a question & answer session and discussion about responsible swimming practices.
Hopefully the members of your pool will appreciate your support of their health and safety while enjoying your pool!
Claire McDaniel
Claire is a swimming and nutrition expert who loves to educate and motivate others to healthier living. She swam competitively for 18 years, is a five time All-American, a Division I National Champion, was co-captain of Team USA at the 2007 World University Games and was named a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. She also has a master’s degree in nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. After swimming, Claire started coaching and has coached all over the US and even in Switzerland! Her experience and expertise about both swimming and health fuel her passion for Clear Comfort’s mission – to make swimming a 100 percent healthy activity for swimmers, coaches, lifeguards and pool staff.
