How clean are pool?

seven_eleven

So I swim 1 - 2 times a week, and I've become increasingly interested in how hygienic pools are.

I've read the articles on wiki and understand the general methods used to clean pools, filters, chemicals, etc. But I'm curious to know, just how dirty the water actually is.

I know people do urinate in public pools, probably daily, and there's probably a plethora of sweat, saliva, fecal mater, cosmetics, and more (ugh).

Is it true that if the pool smells like chlorine, its due to the high sweat/urine content in the water?
Also, how often are public pools completely drained, scrubbed, and re-filled with new water? I imagine its an extremely costly and time consuming process to do this.

Another thing that interests me is what sort of things end up in the pool filtration system. I imagine its really disgusting, and clogged to the nuts with hair and skin bits. Any people here who work at swimming pools got any horror stories?

Saying this, nothing will probably put me off swimming. I'm not that much of a clean freak.

sandin

Most pools will use a water filtration system that is constantly on and continuaously cleans the water.

The water is purified and recycled.

The main reason for insistence on hats in pools is nothing to do with hygeine but primarily to do with ensuring hair does not clog up the filtration system.

AFAIK all pools open to the public have to do water tests every few hours - I swim 4-5 times a week (lost almost 3 stone this year!!) and no matter what time of day I swim, I would see them taking samples of the water on a regualr basis.

Welruc

From working in a leisure centre i can say we took samples every two hours to check ph levels and chlorine levels.

These are regulated automatically but sometimes levels can spike and then can be readjusted manually.

As far as emptying the pool, i don't think this ever happens, it would cost a fortune. The pool water is constantly being cycled through a filtration system and the sides and bottom are cleaned with a pool hoover.

Victor

seven_eleven wrote: »

Is it true that if the pool smells like chlorine, its due to the high sweat/urine content in the water?

No, it smells like Chlorine, because they add Chlorine.

Some pools use other chemicals.

WittyKitty1

My sister worked in a pool for years. She always tells me they are filthy even though they have chlorine and get cleaned.

She said the best time to swim is in the morning as it's at it's cleanest then, somehow. I can't remember the details... I love swimming myself and often cringe when i have my goggles on and see plasters and hair floating around the bottom of the pool.

I know that she had to scoop vomit out a few times after some kids and then the next session of people came in after wards...

Best not be swallowing water :P

lorcan122

Pools are pretty dirty, yes they have chlorine and the water is filtered, however the amount of stuff in the pool is pretty disgusting.

The pool is never emptied unless someone broke glass in the pool such as eyewear or a bottle, or if heavy maintenance had to be done.

KK4SAM

in a good design the entire volume of the pool is turned over every four hours through the media filters,
Filters are backwashed automatically when a certain head load is reached which is proportional to foreign bodies captured like hair clips body tissue and fabrics.
Chlorine and filtration coagulants affect pH.
More chemicals are added to readjust the pH.
The pH and chlorine set-point control is usually automatic as it has to cater for varying loads on the plant i.e. when a group of school kids visit.

Balmed Out

The smell to watch out for is a dirty socks smell and it means theres not enough chlorine or fresh water needs to be added.
The clearer the water and the shallower pool water appears the cleaner it is.