Swimming Pool Hygiene Primer

When we’re not having violent storms and torrential rainfall, it’s finally been possible to enjoy some great summer weather – and our swimming pools – in the GTA lately. If you’ve got a swimming pool, you’ve no doubt been subjected to a host of hints and maybe not-so-subtle suggestions from people who’d love to help you make the most of it in the heat.

To shower or not to shower?
Your own family may be very pool-aware but your non-pool owning guests are probably not. Basic hygiene for your own swimming pool should be at least as stringent as the rules you’ll typically see at public swimming pools as set out by public health laws.

You might have to overcome a little shyness, but you really should ask everyone who enters your swimming pool to shower.

Tell them physicians recommend it.

We don’t like to think about it, but even if we do shower in the morning, within a short period of time, our bodies become home to a myriad of contaminants. Study after study has shown the presence of E.coli bacteria in public swimming pools – and yes, that’s the type of bacteria found in poop. Enough said!

You may think your backyard swimming pool isn’t that dirty and while you may have less ‘traffic’ than most, public swimming pool standards in Canada are actually quite rigorous (as compared to U.S. for example). Regular testing is mandated by law, while I’m sure most of us know of at least one pool owner who is something (sometimes a lot) short of rigorous when it comes to testing the water and other maintenance.

If you’re testing ALL the time, it’s true you should have much less risk – but do you?

It’s especially important if there are children in the water who are less inclined to be meticulous when it comes to cleanliness; they’re also more likely to swallow the water. Pregnant women are also considered to be at a greater risk.

What About Chlorine?
You might be assuming that if you’re ensuring the right chemicals are being used that you have nothing to worry about. Chlorine will kill most bacteria within an hour if chlorine and pH are at optimal levels.

But – bacteria can still survive a few minutes while you and your guests are swimming. Some parasites can survive for several hours or even days.

Some Other Tips:

• Use soap when you shower up for the pool – it makes a difference.
• Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and it may be a good idea to have a quick rinse shower too.
• Insist that kids take bathroom breaks even if they say they don’t have to.
• Don’t swallow pool water.
• Ear plugs can help to prevent ear infections.

Questions or Concerns?
Contact Bremner Pool & Spa today for swimming pool service, swimming pool repairs, safety tips and maintenance. Free Quotes Available.

About Bremner Pool & Spa:
Established in 1981, Bremner Pool & Spa is one of the premiere swimming pool service companies in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Durham Region. We operate 11 state-of-the art vehicles and offer a variety of high quality and eco-friendly products & services including swimming pool repair, openings, partial swimming pool openings, swimming pool closings, weekly pool and spa service, pool leak detection & repair, heaters, liners, pumps and more. As well, Bremner Pool & Spa complies with all City of Toronto By Laws for Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas.

Swimming pool services including openings, renovations, installations and maintenance throughout Toronto and the GTA including Ajax, Durham, East York, Forest Hill, Markham, North York, Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Unionville, Vaughan and Whitby, Ontario.