Public swimming pools are licensed and regulated by the State’s EGLE Public Swimming Pool program. Local environmental health sanitarians conduct yearly facility inspections at licensed public swimming pools, spas and splash pads as well as investigate complaints and provide educational materials to pool operators. Pool operators are required to sample their pool(s) for the presence of Coliform bacteria regularly while in operation. Operators should be testing Chlorine and Bromine levels at a minimum of twice daily to ensure proper disinfectant levels are being maintained.
When a pool contamination event occurs or a positive coliform bacteria test result is received, the pool should be closed and “shocked” which destroys algae, bacteria, chloramines, and human wastes before re-opening. Pool operators should follow the disinfectant manufacturer's recommendation for the proper amount of treatment chemical to use when shocking a pool. In order to figure out a pool’s volume, the following equations can be used:
Rectangular pool: length x width x average depth x 7.5 = volume in gallons
Circular pool: diameter x average depth x 5.9 = volume in gallons
For more information regarding a contamination event clean-up, please refer to: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/drinking-water-and-environmental-health/public-swimming-pools/contingency-and-emergency-response-plans/contingency-plan.
Recommended Pool Chemistry
Calcium Hardness: 200 ppm – 400ppm
Ideal pH range: 7.4 – 7.6
Chlorine range: 1ppm – 3ppm
Bromine range: 2.0ppm – 4.0ppm
Ideal Alkalinity range: 80ppm – 120ppm
*ppm = parts per million; example: 1oz to 1,000,000oz
Frequently Asked Questions
I was swimming in a pool and a day later I noticed I had a rash. What should I do?
Contact your health care provider first and tell them that you developed a rash after swimming in a pool. They can evaluate the need for treatment to make you well. Contact our office and let us know the name of the pool. We will investigate the incident and attempt to determine the cause of the rash.
I was swimming in a lake and developed what my neighbor called swimmers itch. What should I do?
Contact your health care provider for treatment. Contact our department to report when and where you went swimming.
What is swimmers itch anyway?
Swimmers itch usually refers to a rash caused by a little parasite that burrows under the skin and dies. To avoid the rash, shower immediately after leaving the water, towel dry and put on dry clothes. Try to remove little water droplets before they dry on skin. The little parasite lives in the water and can survive in a water droplet long enough to burrow under skin.
Resources:
Center for Disease Control, FAQ
EGLE Public Swimming Pool Monitoring Program