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How Clean Are Public Pools?

Friday, 27 July 2018 11:54

The strong smell of chlorine is not necessarily a good thing when you are at a public pool.

OXFORD COUNTY - If you're planning on taking a dip in a public pool this weekend, there's a couple things you should keep in mind.

Stacey Thompson is a Student Public Health Inspector with Southwestern Public Health. She says if you are hit with the strong smell of chlorine when you walk in; that's not necessarily a good thing.

"The stronger smell of chlorine means that there's more combined chlorine in the water. Basically that just means that more bacteria was in there that the chlorine had to connect with to try to kill that bacteria."

For example; if someone was to pee in the pool, the chlorine would go from a free state to a combined state in order to eliminate the bacteria.

Thompson adds you should pay attention to the clarity of the water before jumping in.

"If it looks really murky and it's hard to see the bottom, that's a pretty good indicator that the water isn't balanced properly which then can facilitate for bacteria to grow and can cause people to get sick that way."

Make sure you wash yourself with soap and water before and after going swimming. This will help prevent the spread of germs both in and outside of the pool. You should also avoid public pools if you have open cuts/sore or if you are feeling under the weather.

Thompson also recommends wearing shower shoes while in the changing area. Most facilities disinfect their floors at least once a week, but wearing the shoes will help prevent the spread of fungus.

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