Swimming is one of the most popular forms of exercise spanning all age groups. Throughout the year, swimming is both affordable and accessible at many private and public facilities. Water parks are a popular recreational place for children and young adults, while spas and hot tubs remain popular amongst adults.
In public facilities, there is always a chance of picking up a waterborne illness or infection. However, there are several ways that you can prevent contracting or spreading conditions in water-centric environments.
Conduct an Independent Pool Inspection
If you’re visiting an aquatic venue, you can perform an independent check on the pool by using chlorine and pH test strips to test the water chemistry. Mini-inspections can be undertaken to ensure that the drain on the bottom of the pool is visible, the pool tiles are clean, and the pool does not have a strong chemical smell.
It’s worth noting that parks can operate on several different treatment systems, so testing each water ride or pool separately is suggested.
Don’t Let Children Swim if They Have Diarrhea or Tummy Bugs
There is a parasite known as Cryptosporidium that can be spread through recreational water spaces via a fecal to oral route. It’s pretty hard to avoid ingesting small amounts of water at the pool. If this water contains even minute quantities of Cryptosporidium from somebody that has visited the pool with diarrhea, many people could become ill within a short period.
Check the Inspection Scores for Swimming Pools and Aquatic Venues
In a well-managed pool with optimum chlorine levels, chlorine-susceptible pathogens such as Pseudomonas and Legionella should not be detectable. Such pathogens can make people sick if they swallow contaminated water. Therefore, we recommend checking the website of a venue for pool inspection scores before visiting it.
Understand the Risks and Know Your Vulnerabilities
If you are at increased risk of conditions such as Legionnaires Disease, avoid spas and hot tubs. If you have a weakened immune system, public recreational venues are not a safe option for you.
For additional information regarding pool safety or to learn more about our company and how we can help keep your pool water in tip-top shape, click here to contact us!