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. 2018 Feb;16(1):87-92.
doi: 10.2166/wh.2017.150.

Pool water quality and prevalence of microbes in filter backwash from metro-Atlanta swimming pools

Jennifer L Murphy  1 , Michele C Hlavsa  1 , Brittany C Carter  1 , Candace Miller  1 , Narayanan Jothikumar  1 , Taryn R Gerth  1 , Michael J Beach  1 , Vincent R Hill  1
Affiliations

Pool water quality and prevalence of microbes in filter backwash from metro-Atlanta swimming pools

Jennifer L Murphy et al. J Water Health. 2018 Feb.

Abstract

During the 2012 summer swim season, aquatic venue data and filter backwash samples were collected from 127 metro-Atlanta pools. Last-recorded water chemistry measures indicated 98% (157/161) of samples were from pools with ≥1 mg/L residual chlorine without stabilized chlorine or ≥2 mg/L with stabilized chlorine and 89% (144/161) had pH readings 7.2-7.8. These water quality parameters are consistent with the 2016 Model Aquatic Health Code (2nd edition) recommendations. We used previously validated real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for detection of seven enteric microbes, including Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. E. coli was detected in 58% (93/161) of samples, signifying that swimmers likely introduced fecal material into pool water. P. aeruginosa was detected in 59% (95/161) of samples, indicating contamination from swimmers or biofilm growth on surfaces. Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis were each detected in approximately 1% of samples. These findings indicate the need for aquatics staff, state and local environmental health practitioners, and swimmers to each take steps to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious pathogens.

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