Public swimming pools can harbor vast amounts of bacteria. There are specifically three types of waterborne bacteria that can thrive in public pools: cryptospyridium, giardia and E coli. These bacteria are found in public pools across America and can contribute to recreational water illnesses.
Recreational water illnesses are most commonly caused by exposure to diarrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that the people entering public swimming pools may have up to 0.14 g of feces on their bodies. When these people step into a public swimming pool, the feces are rinsed off, exposing others to bacteria. Ingesting even trace amounts of these bacteria can expose a person to recreational water illnesses and cause gastroenteritis, for example.
Public pool operators need to carefully monitor pH levels and properly disinfect their pools during seasons of operation. Consumers should avoid public swimming pools where the water appears cloudy. Cloudy water is a possible indication of water that is poorly ventilated. Children as well as adults should shower or rinse off before entering a public swimming pool. Perhaps the easiest way to avoid recreational water illnesses is to avoid ingesting pool water. Public fountains can also harbor bacteria, especially since most water fountains are not treated with chlorine.
The chlorine added to swimming pools is designed to kill bacteria. A certain level of chlorine is needed in public pools to make them safe for consumers to swim in regularly. Overexposure to chlorine, however, can lead to negative health effects. Swimming in an over-chlorinated pool can create rashes and lead to eye irritation. A pool with too much chlorine may be a hostile environment for children with asthma. People should avoid daily exposure to an over-chlorinated swimming pool.