CDC: Public pools not as clean as you think
By: Barrett Tryon
Just in time for pools to open across the state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have come out with a new study about what’s lurking in that water.
According to the CDC report, water sampled from 161 pools around the Atlanta area found 58 percent showed signs of E. Coli, which is the bacteria most commonly associated with fecal matter.
Diapered babies and children who are not properly toilet trained can easily introduce poop into the water, the report stated.
Children are not alone as culprits.
Adults are also at fault, mainly those who do not shower with soap before entering the pool and bring traces of fecal matter with them.
Number two isn’t the only problem.
The report showed chlorine still isn’t strong enough to break down the waste of people who decide to “number one” in the pool, along with sweat.
It’s especially important to not take a dip if you have intestinal troubles, like diarrhea, the CDC said.
It stated the “results alone cannot be used to determine whether the detected pathogens were viable or infectious or determine the level of swimmer risk.”
Meaning public pools are not necessarily hazardous to your health because there’s never been any illness related to pool water.
Another important thing to remember, this is only a sample of pools in the Atlanta area and isn’t necessarily representative of the entire country.
MORE: Read more from the CDC