A pool of fun, but swimmers beware!

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Now that those hot summer days are upon us, the cool or relaxing waters of a pool or spa might look awfully inviting ... but you might want to think first before jumping in.

With Memorial Day marking the opening day for some pools around the county and state, last week was declared National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week, and people are encouraged to keep these tips in mind all summer long.

“Summer is just around the corner, and many of us are looking forward to jumping in the pool, hitting a water park or going to the beach. But you can get sick from the water, if you are not careful,” said Dr. Eric Whitaker, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“Now is the perfect time to learn what precautions to take to make sure you don’t contaminate the water and learn how to possibly identify problems with the water,” he added.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, outbreaks of recreational water illnesses continue to occur in the United States each year. Sixty-two percent of these outbreaks are related to the chlorine-resistant pathogen, cryptosporidium (“Crypto”).

This is introduced into the pool by swimmers who are ill with diarrhea and is spread to other swimmers when they swallow the contaminated water, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to IDPH, even healthy swimmers can get sick from recreational water illnesses, but the young, elderly, pregnant women, and immuno-suppressed persons are especially at risk.

There are a few steps you can take to promote healthy swimming, including not swimming when you have diarrhea or if you have had it in the past two weeks.

Do not swallow pool water or even hold it in your mouth, and both children and adults should shower before swimming. Washing your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers is also recommended, as well as taking children on frequent bathroom breaks. While changing a baby’s diaper often is also recommended, use a bathroom’s changing table, and do not change diapers at pool side.

There are also things you can look for in a pool or spa to prevent recreational water illnesses among you or your family. You should notice:

• Clean and clear pool water; you should be able to clearly see any painted stripes and the bottom of the pool.

• Smooth pool sides; tiles should not be sticky or slippery.

• No odor; a well-chlorinated pool has little odor. A strong chemical smell indicates a maintenance problem.

• Pool equipment working; pool pumps and filtration systems make noise, and you should hear them running.

In order to minimize the risks of recreational water illnesses, the Illinois Department of Public Health requires the state’s 3,500 licensed swimming facilities to meet water quality and safety standards, including engineering design standards that apply to pools, spas, beaches, water supplies, bather preparation areas, and water treatment systems. The department enforces these rules and regulations through plan approvals and inspections.

“This is certainly something people should be aware of. Even though there’s chemicals in the pool and there’s no fish or plants in the water, you can still get sick,” said Melaney Arnold, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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