Community Corner

Poop In Pools? Probably

The CDC found E.coli in more than half of the public pool filters tested.

Summer's now in full swing, the perfect time to take a dip in the pool.

Just don't open your mouth.

In a recent study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found E.coli in more than half of the public pool filters tested for genetic material. Although the researchers did not find the toxin-producing strain of E. coli that can cause diarrhea, cramps and, sometime, kidney failure, the bacteria they did find is normally found in human intestines and feces. 

According to the study, "swimmers frequently contaminate pool water when they have a fecal incident in the water or when feces rinse off of their bodies because they do not shower thoroughly before getting into the water."

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The study further found that "outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness throughout the United States suggest that swimmers frequently introduce fecal material and pathogens into recreational water throughout the country.” 

In addition to 58 percent of the pools testing positive for E.coli, the study also found that more than 50 percent of the filters had the rash and ear-infection-causing bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa. 

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This doesn't mean you should avoid swimming pools.

"Swimming is a great way to stay healthy," emphasized Michele Hlavsa, chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. However, she said pool users should be aware of how to prevent infections while swimming.

She pointed out that chlorine and other disinfectants don’t kill germs instantly. That’s why it’s important for swimmers to protect themselves by not swallowing the water they swim in and to protect others by keeping feces and germs out of the pool by taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming when ill with diarrhea.

Want to help keep your pool feces-free? Here are recommendations for healthy, safe swimming from the CDC:

Do not swallow the water you swim in.

Keep clean:

  • Do not swim when you have diarrhea.
  • Shower with soap before you start swimming.
  • Take a rinse shower before you get back into the water.
  • Take bathroom breaks every 60 minutes.
  • Wash your hands with soap after using the toilet or changing diapers.

Check the chlorine and pH levels before getting into the water: 

  • Pools: Proper chlorine (1–3 mg/L or parts per million [ppm]) and pH (7.2–7.8) levels maximize germ-killing power.
  • Most superstores, hardware stores, and pool-supply stores sell pool test strips.

Parents, keep your kids clean:

  • Take children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes or check diapers every 30–60 minutes.
  • Change diapers in the bathroom or diaper-changing area and not at poolside where germs can rinse into the water.

    Read more about safe swimming from the CDC.


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