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WEST VALLEY CITY -- On a hot day plenty of people head for the swimming pool, but how do you know the water is clean? Some public pools are now going above and beyond to make sure your family is safe.
In 2007, several Utahns contracted cryptosporidium -- a bacterial infection often caused by fecal matter in swimming pools. Now, the Utah Department of Health requires all public pools to test the water once a month for dangerous bacteria and once a day for the proper amount of chlorine.
• Do not swim if you have diarrhea and wait 2-weeks after the diarrhea has stopped before swimming.
• When swimming, do not swallow the water and avoid getting the water in your mouth.
• Take a shower with soap and water, before swimming. Make sure and clean your bottom. The small amounts of fecal material left on your bottom after using the toilet will wash off in the pool water if not washed off before getting into the pool.
• Take frequent bathroom breaks while swimming and make sure small children do the same.
• Change diapers in the bathroom, and not at the pool side.
• After changing a diaper, wash your hands and your child's bottom thoroughly with soap and water.
• If you do have a fecal accident in the pool - report it immediately.
Source: Salt Lake Valley Health Department
"You don't want your kid sick. A sick kid is not fun," said mom Lori Spinger.
This year pool operators are doing everything they can to keep water clean. In fact, in Salt Lake County the state-required tests aren't enough.
"We felt it needed to be clarified a little more in the Salt Lake Valley. We have over 1,000 swimming pools," said Teresa Gray, manager for water quality at the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.
In addition to the state requirements, Salt Lake County requires a chlorine test every morning to make sure filtration systems work overnight, when bacteria grows the most. Many public pools are doing more.
"Well, most pools will test more often than the minimum requirements ‘cause it just makes it safer for them and they have a better key of what's going on in the pool," Gray said. "Most of the larger rec center pools will test once an hour instead of once per day."
In addition, many public pools are taking short breaks that empty the pool. Some parents don't like the breaks, but others thing they're a good idea.
"A break is a good thing ‘cause some kids, they don't want to take a break to go to the bathroom. I know I have to tell my son, occasionally, ‘Go to the bathroom,'" said dad Dwain Holmes.
In addition to helping prevents pool-goers from using the pool to go to the bathroom, the breaks give pool operators time to check for health hazards. They also give swimmers time to rest while allowing filtration systems to catch up.
Most parents support the breaks, even at the risk of complaint.
"Well, this gives you the peace of mind of knowing the pool is doing what it has to make sure your kids are as safe as you would want them to be in your own private pool," Spinger said.
"Kids are going to complain. That's what they do," Holmes said. "As long as it's worth it, oh well, I can listen to my kid complain for a little while."
Pool operators are not required to do anything above and beyond what is required by the state, but many counties are working together, going above and beyond, to keep safety measures consistent wherever you may decide to swim.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
