So I am a freak when it comes to balancing my pool chemistry. For some reason I love checking the levels of everything and trying to get it perfectly balanced. The result is a crystal clear pool all season long! Now I keep hearing about this flesh eating virus in warm waters and even pools. My pool is typically on the warmer side this time of year. I know to keep sick people out of the pool. For the most part only my immediate family and one dog swims in it. What ensures that if this flesh eating bacteria is present that it will die?? I would rather be safe than sorry. I was hoping to find something about chemicals and what would ensure the virus wouldn’t be there but have found nothing. My guess is it probably isn’t an issue, but family members are concerned and I want them to enjoy the pool.
Flesh eating bacteria???
- Thread starter Amanda B
- Start date
Well... that sent me down the proverbial rabbit hole. Reading the various articles addressing this particular bacteria and chlorination led me to a few conclusions.
1 - When chlorimines are present (usually noticeable by a smell often attributed to "chlorine"), the pool in question is actively consuming bacteria and therefore potentially unsafe for those of compromised immunity, those with unhealed cuts/abrasions, and those who allow water to get into their mouths.
2 - Some pathogens can live for a long time in "properly chlorinated" water. What we know of the perceived "properly chlorinated" is somewhat suspect, and therefore one can never trust any public pool or spa. Being vigilant of introducing said pathogens decreases one's risk significantly.
3 - Most TFP pools spend some time each day at the high range (target) of "properly chlorinated". Some would say "extra chlorinated". At least for a few hours, and often overnight every day. There's a good chance TFP pools are getting nearly all pathogens that have been introduced to these waters.
4 - Following TFP practices, plus limiting/policing who and how they enter the water seriously reduces your risk of exposure.
The following quote from this article can serve as a nice rule of thumb of best practices so that you and your family/friends are confident being in your pool.
www.nachi.org
"Pool disinfectants can kill most germs in less than an hour, but for others it can take longer. Cryptosporidium, for instance, can survive for up to 10 days in a properly chlorinated pool, and other pathogens are completely resistant to chlorine. In addition, the unique circulation patterns found in pools may allow poor water circulation in some areas, making it unlikely that all pathogen activity can be fully prevented. The unfortunate truth is that chlorinated swimming pools can and do transmit disease. Swimmers should not rely solely on the pool's chemical treatments, and should heed the following precautions:
1 - When chlorimines are present (usually noticeable by a smell often attributed to "chlorine"), the pool in question is actively consuming bacteria and therefore potentially unsafe for those of compromised immunity, those with unhealed cuts/abrasions, and those who allow water to get into their mouths.
2 - Some pathogens can live for a long time in "properly chlorinated" water. What we know of the perceived "properly chlorinated" is somewhat suspect, and therefore one can never trust any public pool or spa. Being vigilant of introducing said pathogens decreases one's risk significantly.
3 - Most TFP pools spend some time each day at the high range (target) of "properly chlorinated". Some would say "extra chlorinated". At least for a few hours, and often overnight every day. There's a good chance TFP pools are getting nearly all pathogens that have been introduced to these waters.
4 - Following TFP practices, plus limiting/policing who and how they enter the water seriously reduces your risk of exposure.
The following quote from this article can serve as a nice rule of thumb of best practices so that you and your family/friends are confident being in your pool.
Pool Water Pathogens
Chlorination and good hygiene are important when it comes to preventing the spread of pathogens in pools.
"Pool disinfectants can kill most germs in less than an hour, but for others it can take longer. Cryptosporidium, for instance, can survive for up to 10 days in a properly chlorinated pool, and other pathogens are completely resistant to chlorine. In addition, the unique circulation patterns found in pools may allow poor water circulation in some areas, making it unlikely that all pathogen activity can be fully prevented. The unfortunate truth is that chlorinated swimming pools can and do transmit disease. Swimmers should not rely solely on the pool's chemical treatments, and should heed the following precautions:
- Don’t ever swallow pool water. Children sometimes jokingly spit pool water back into the pool or at their friends, but this is dangerous, as some of it may be swallowed.
- Shower with soap and water before and after swimming.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after using a toilet or changing diapers.
- Remove small children from pools for bathroom breaks and check diapers often.
- Change diapers in a bathroom, not beside the pool.
- Wash children, especially their rear ends, thoroughly with soap and water before they enter a pool.
- Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. Diarrhea can be transmitted in pool water weeks after symptoms cease.
Sorry, I realize that didn't actually answer your specific question but it appears to me that the answer isn't that it WILL be killed with chlorine, but rather to make sure to reduce your risk of exposure with best practices, and you should be fine.
Another article likened the statistical risk of contracting something deadly to all kinds of things, including simply driving your car to the grocery store. That it's very rare in controlled situations, while we are all aware that going to the grocery store by way of an automobile carries much higher risk (statistically) than other activities, such as flying.
Another article likened the statistical risk of contracting something deadly to all kinds of things, including simply driving your car to the grocery store. That it's very rare in controlled situations, while we are all aware that going to the grocery store by way of an automobile carries much higher risk (statistically) than other activities, such as flying.
That is essentially what I found when researching, more hygiene than pool chemicals.