Important points
- Bacteria in swimming pools can cause gastrointestinal irritation and ear, eye, skin and chest infections.
- To keep the pool clean, shower before and after swimming. Do not swim if you have diarrhoea.
- Avoid swallowing pool water.
- Your pool chemical supplier, pool maintenance company, pool staff and local authorities can all give you advice on pool hygiene.
Pool Water and Disease
Most swimming pools are clean. However, bacteria can be present in them, especially if the pool is used frequently or not properly treated with pool chemicals.
Bacteria in swimming pools can cause illnesses such as ear, eye, skin and chest infections, and gastrointestinal irritation. In addition, the harsh chemicals in pool water can cause eye and skin irritation.
How do bacteria get into swimming pools? Bacteria can get into pool water through the following substances:
- Skin, sweat, urine, feces, saliva, and open wounds
- Dirt, food, and other solid objects that accumulate in the pool.
This can happen very easily. For example, if you have diarrhea, you may still have bacteria on your skin, even if you wash your bottom and hands thoroughly. So when you get in the pool, the bacteria on your skin can get into the water.
In addition, babies and children who can’t go to the toilet yet are more likely to poop in the water while swimming. If your child has to poop liquidly, bacteria from the stool can get into the water, even if they are wearing a swim diaper. Or if you change a sick child’s diaper near a pool, bacteria from the diaper can get into the water even if the child doesn’t change it.
All Pools: Hygiene Information and Tips
For All Swimmers
Do not enter the pool if you have diarrhea or have had diarrhea within the past 2 weeks.
Be careful not to put water in your mouth or swallow pool water.
Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and changing a diaper. Shower before entering the pool and when leaving the pool.
For parents with small children
Make sure your child’s bottom is clean before going to the pool. Use swim diapers that fit your child well, but be aware that these diapers are not leak-proof. They can slow down but not prevent feces and bacteria from getting into the water.
Change swim diapers regularly to prevent feces and bacteria from getting into the water. Diaper changing should not take place in the pool area. Spraying lots of water can easily introduce bacteria into the pool.
If your child is already clean, make sure they go to the toilet regularly to avoid toilet accidents in the pool.
Home and Wading Pools: Hygiene Information and Tips
Home wading pools are used primarily by infants and toddlers, which means they are most likely to carry bacteria from feces. Additionally, wading pool water is not typically treated with pool chemicals.
How to reduce the risk of young children getting sick from using wading pools:
- Do not allow pool water to get into your child’s mouth.
- Always empty your home wading pool when you are no longer using it.
- Leaving water in a wading pool poses a drowning hazard and a risk of bacterial infection.
Regular treatment and monitoring are necessary to keep your home pool clean and safe for swimming.
- Use pool chemicals strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Test the water’s pH and chlorine levels regularly.
Make sure the water is clear and you can see the bottom of the pool.
Advice on swimming pool hygiene is available from your pool chemical supplier, pool maintenance company and your local authority environmental health officer.
