Owners of swimming pools and hot tubs are creating a breeding ground for bacteria that could cause serious illness and infection by not maintaining them properly, scientists in Hampshire have revealed.
The growing trend for domestic hot tubs fuelled by popular TV programmes such as Love Island is increasing the risk of people picking up serious illnesses from a soup of bacteria swirling about in the water.
Microbiologists at the Envirochem laboratory in Fareham have discovered a stomach-churning potpourri of bacteria in recent tests that suggest the messages about maintenance are not getting through to owners.
Nineteen recent inspections of water quality in hot tubs and pools have failed the basic health tests. Bacteria found in the water has included:
- High counts of bacteria, yeast or mould spores in water at 37C
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa – which can cause urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, dermatitis and gastrointestinal infections
- Legionella – can cause a potentially fatal pneumonia-type illness
- coli – normally only found in human and animal faeces, e.coli does not grow in water and only indicates contaminated water
Inspections of both commercial and domestic pools and hot tubs have revealed the water-borne bacteria. This is despite manufacturers and companies providing instructions on how to maintain their facilities appropriately.
Head of Microbiology at Broadcut-based Envirochem, Dr Duncan Russell, said: “Infectious agents can be easily introduced to a spa pool by bathers, from dirt entering the pool or from the water source itself. Once in the spa pool, conditions often exist for these infectious agents to grow and proliferate.
“The Code of Practice for swimming pool water from the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group sets out how the technical operation of the pool should function for safe and successful swimming pool water.
“Swimming pool water should be micro biologically tested monthly to monitor for the presence of potentially harmful micro-organisms.
“The wide availability of home testing kits for water quality makes it much easier today for individuals to ensure their hot tubs and swimming pools are as clean as they should be, keeping the risk of illness and infection to a minimum.”
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