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Public Pools

Do you ever use Public Pools? Have you ever considered if they are clean and good for your health? Sometimes just 'looking' at the water is not enough.

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

Nothing may refresh like a dip in a pool on a hot day. Then again, look what inspectors find about public pools along the Wasatch Front: In the past 18 months, they cited several pools for floating scum; found dozens of pools where dangerous bacteria were "too numerous to count"; found scores with no chlorine or bromine to kill germs; and even saw one hot tub sitting at a scalding 124 degrees instead of the normal 104 degrees.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...55421%2C00.html

Pools Public

One of the most beloved parts of summer for generations has been swimming and diving in public pools. Although certain pools may pose major hazards, perhaps we were better off before we knew exactly what was in most of our public pools. Kids will encounter germs. If they don't, they will not develop immunities. This is not an excuse to purposely contaminate their food or to send them to get in bed with their friends suffering from chicken pox, but parents cross the boundaries of reason who forbid their children to play in the dirt, or to eat the questionable food at community picnics, or to use public pools. Our pools are not worse today than ever before - they are better, but the tests are more comprehensive. It's still fine to go swimming. It's summer. The heat will most probably kill us before the pool does.

Public Pools Health & Special Psychology

I totally agree with everything Howe6079 has said. I think it's impossible to keep children out of certain situations, especially large group daycares. In fact, I think if your child is at a large daycare, they are exposed to twice as many types of bacteria and germs than at a public pool. I always enjoy getting in the pools as soon as they are opened, because you know they've just been cleaned or treated. I don't think anything I read in the article will prevent me from visiting a public pool in the future, because I always have gone to them and I'm still alive.

Pools Public

When I was a kid, we occasionally visited public pools. Today, you couldn't get me within 10 feet of one. It isn't just the bacteria, but the pee, snot, poo, spit, and other disgusting stuff that people bring with them and deposit into the water. Gross, man. People don't bathe, they don't change baby diapers, and they generally have no respect for their fellow swimmers when it comes to relieving themselves.

No thanks.

Pools Public

I swim in a public pool most weekdays before work. I have a pool in my backyard as well. I think it is likely much more clean and sanitary than taking your kids to the local lake or beach. We have had several ocean beaches shut down due to high bacteria levels this summer. The ocean and lakes have many fish that use them for potties. Many storm drains run directly into these bodies of water as well. They end up with all the lawn chemicals because of this. Yet none of these bodies of water have any treatment to make them clean or sanitary in which to swim.

So, unless you are banning all swimming, you might as well include the local pool in your allowed choices, in my opinion.

Public Pools

EDITORIAL: THE DANGERS OF THE DEEP

Ever notice those signs inside the dressing rooms at public swimming pools that tell swimmers to shower before entering and upon exiting the pool? When was the last time you actually saw someone comply with both rules? No small wonder that public swimming pools can readily become soups of human germs.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...56308%2C00.html

Public Pools

At the pool where I swim in the mornings, I shower before getting in the pool. I have my bathing suit on and I just wash my hair with shampoo. I don't actually take a full soaped up shower. Most people just get wet and use no soap at all. A few don't do anything.

When I take my grandson to that same pool for swimming lessons, I make him get in the shower and rinse off, but again no soap. I don't see that this does anything to get rid of germs, but then again I rinse my fruit and vegetables before eating them, and I doubt that really does anything either since it is just cold water and no soap there, as well. So, if rinsing my veggies in cold water gets rid of germs a rinse in the shower before swimming should be as effective. However, I notice many of the kids don't shower at all before entering the pool, and it isn't enforced.

Still, I don't think it matters. The chemicals in the pool, if properly maintained will take care of the normal germs brought in by people. It won't take care of poop or vomit, for that the pool must be shocked.

Edited: funbikerchick on 17th Aug, 2005 - 10:56am

Public Pools Psychology Special & Health

My husband and I take full showers before entering our hot tub at home. Because of the heat of the water and it being such a confined space, it is very easy for PH levels to spike after one use if you don't shower. If we have people over, we usually don't make special trips to the shower before we all enter, we just get in and treat the water as soon as we are all out. Most public pools at the beaches we frequent have an extreme smell of chlorine and I feel somewhat safe that the strong smell means something is dying in there!