Survey on six microbial quality indices inchlorinated swimming pools and Influence of pool depth and swimmers gender on it (case study)

Abstract

Background and Aim: Swimming pool can transfer many pathogens. Chlorine concentration and swimmers gender are the most effectors on the quality of pool water. The scope of this study was to determine the effect of chlorination, pool depth and swimmer’s gender on the six microbial qualification indices. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive–analytical study which was performed in 2013, thirty six water samples were taken from the different depths of pools (Pools separated by gender) and the chlorination, turbidity and total Coliform, E.Coli, Heterotrophic bacteria, StreptococcusFeacalis, Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeroginosa were measured. Results: The total average of residual chlorine in the men;#39s and women;#39s pools were 1.47 and 2.47 mg/l respectively, which matched with the standard levels in the country, while the mean of E.Coli, Heterotrophic Plate count and Pseudomonas Aeroginosa concentrations in the both pools were higher than Iranian standards and were more concentrated in the women;#39s pools than the men;#39s. Also, the turbidity was 1.34 and 1.47 NTU respectively, which was higher than the Iranian standards. Conclusion: In spite of the higher concentration of residual chlorine in the women;#39s pool, the average concentrations of microbial indices in the women;#39s pool were higher than the men;#39s. This difference may be related to the swimmers gender. The observed differences in microbial concentrations in different depths of each of the pools and also between men;#39s and women;#39s pools were not significant