CDC: 80% Of Public Pools Dirty And Unhealthy

With summer starting, local pools will be swarming with kids and adults alike soon. While the idea of frolicking around in water seems fun, all that germs and bacteria should also be noted. 

According to the the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of public swimming pools and hot tubs actually failed their health inspections. The idea that this enclosed area of water is full of disease-carrying elements is not a myth!

The Centers for Disease Control claimed that already thousands of public pools have been closed because of this. Still, pools in general might have dirt and unhygienic elements. It is best to be at least wary and prepare the necessary precautions against diseases. 

Staff at the Family Aquatic Center however got a bit defensive and said their pools are kept clean and safe. "Staff comes in at 7 a.m. in the morning, they check the pools and make sure the pool is balanced," said Shawnee North Family Aquatic Center Supervisor, David Allacher, as reported by WIBW.

"Once we open the pool to the public we check it every two hours. When people get in, it messes with chemical balance; you have the sweat from the heat, hair product residue, sunscreen, that gets all caught into the filter and we keep up with that filter," he added. 

True or not, this explanation by the center just show what parents therefore must take into consideration when considering public pools. They have to check what the public pool facilities' safety measures are and if they are being implemented. 

CDC claimed that parents can try to check if the water is clean through a simple method they can carry out on their own. Parents are asked to get a test strip at their pool-supply stores and check for the pH, chlorine and bromine levels, among others. 

The CDC recommended chlorine concentration should not be less than 1ppm in pools and 3 ppm in hot tubs. On the other hand, bromine concentration should be at least 3 ppm in pools and at least 4 ppm in hot tubs/spas.