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May 22, 2008

A Clean Pool Is a Healthy Pool

CDHD, Pool Operators Urge Parents to Help Keep Disease Away

The week of May 19 – 25 is Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week, a time for the Central District Health Department (CDHD) and local pool operators to remind the public that they hold the key to preventing illnesses associated with swimming pools and splash pads.

Last year Idaho saw a dramatic increase in the number of cases of Cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease caused by a tiny protozoan called cryptosporidium (crypto for short). Crypto can cause serious diarrhea in children and adults. In a normal year there might be 40 cases of crypto in Idaho. In 2007 the number of crypto cases shot up to 517 confirmed cases, with 241 of them in Ada County, where 15 residents were also hospitalized. Because the crypto organism isn’t killed immediately by ordinary concentrations of chlorine, the disease can spread quickly if an infected person swims or plays in recreational water facilities.

“Roaring Springs Waterpark is taking a leading role in the Treasure Valley and in the water park industry, to protect swimmers from cryptosporidium,” says Patrick Morandi, Managing Partner at Roaring Springs. “We have installed ultraviolet light on our Kiddie Play Area. We also removed an attraction, Super Splash City, as spray grounds are especially susceptible to water-borne illnesses. We’ve improved our shower facilities, as well as added signs reminding guests to change babies’ diapers at the changing stations in our restrooms, and never to swim within two weeks of having diarrhea.”

In the City of Meridian, the parks department has installed ultraviolet treatment and will add additional disinfectants to the splash pad at Settler’s Park. While these measures are helpful in controlling crypto and other organisms that can make people sick, they are not foolproof. Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd emphasizes, “While the city is taking measures to be a partner in the fight against water-borne ailments, we recognize that parents and guardians also play an important role in their children’s health and safety.”

The City of Boise will be concentrating on educating the public of measures to prevent the spread of water-borne illnesses such as crypto. “The Boise Parks and Recreation Department strongly urges parents to take individual responsibility in keeping themselves and their children away from all pool facilities while sick with intestinal illness and for two weeks after the symptoms end.” said George Scott, Aquatics Coordinator for Boise Parks and Recreation. “Parents also need to ensure their children are using proper hygiene techniques while visiting swim pools and other water facilities, and to take their children on frequent restroom breaks. Parents will also be required to stay in close proximity of their young children at all times, not only in large pools but in wading pools as well.”

Boise Parks and Recreation is also investigating adding UV treatment systems to each of the nine separate swim pool systems at six outdoor swim facilities to further protect patrons from potential exposure to crypto. “The cost of adding UV to pool facilities could cost upwards of half a million dollars,” says Scott. “But if it proves successful in other Treasure Valley area applications it will be worth the investment.”

The City of Eagle has recreational water features in three of its municipal parks. “Although Merrill Park is supplied by fresh water, reducing the susceptibility of water-borne illnesses to users, Heritage and Guerber Parks are both supplied by water recycling systems,” says Michael Echeita, Public Works Director. “The city is researching modifications to improve the safety of recreational water features in these parks but, structural modifications can only do so much to address the problem. All users must take personal responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow citizens from water-borne illness.”

“With facilities in downtown Boise, West Boise and Caldwell, the Treasure Valley Family YMCA is the largest operator of year round aquatic facilities in the Valley. Water Safety from all perspectives is a top priority for us,” said David Duro, Chief Operating Officer with the YMCA. “Education of parents and participants is the key. We are regularly upgrading our systems to make sure we remain a leader in pool sanitation, but there is no substitute for personal responsibility.”

The YMCA is providing additional training to staff to remind participants of their responsibility, consistent with the Six Pleas. The YMCA has also modified its signs and have put an effective action plan in place to ensure safety if contamination is suspected. “Although we were never affected by crypto last year,” Duro added. “We put our plan in place several times to ensure the safety of our participants.”

By working together, the aquatic providers of the valley can really make a difference. We are providing education to all of our child care centers across the valley as well. This will send an important message to 1000 families regarding their safe use of any pool before the summer season begins.

Under state law local health departments only regulate publicly owned pools. Pools and splash pads operated by health clubs, hotels and motels, subdivisions and apartment complexes are not regulated by any government agency. Pool operators have the responsibility to maintain those facilities in a safe and healthy manner. This makes it especially important for parents to supervise their children when using unregulated recreational water features.

“Since the outbreak last year the health department has worked with both regulated and unregulated pool operators to reduce the number of Recreational Water Illnesses this summer,” said Tom Schmalz, the Program Manager at Central District Health responsible for inspecting publicly-owned pools. “We conducted training seminars for pool operators and worked with a statewide Crypto Task Force to develop plans and messages for all those who operate pools in the state of Idaho.”

Part of what came out of the Crypto Task Force meetings is a media outreach campaign that will be funded by the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare. The television, radio and print campaign will launch in early June with message reminding the public of the responsibility they have in keeping recreational water safe for everyone.

Crypto isn’t the only illness spread in recreational waters. Other organisms such as giardia, shigella, E. coli and norovirus have all been associated with recreational water exposures. Each disease causes diarrhea. People with diarrhea who go swimming can easily contaminate the pool and the areas around it. A person can become infected when they swallow the contaminated water. The best advice is to stay away from recreational waters for up to two weeks after the diarrhea subsides.

CDHD urges swimmers and parents to practice the 6 ‘PLEAs’:

• Please do not swim when you or your children have diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers.
• Please do not swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
• Please practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
• Please take children on bathroom breaks and check diapers often. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean it’s too late.
• Please change diapers in a bathroom or appropriate facility and not at poolside. Germs can also contaminate surfaces and objects in and around the pool.
• Please wash your child thoroughly (especially their rear ends) with soap and water before swimming and after using the bathroom.

For more information on Recreational Water Illness please visit the CDHD website.