Public Pool Inspections
NKY Health inspects 360 public pools each May, keeping the public safe and paving the way for the summer swimming season
Swimming pools are a great source of recreation and fun, especially outdoors during summer.
They cool us down in the heat of the day, provide physical activity that can increase health, and offer a means of relaxation. However, when not properly maintained, they can also be a source of illness due to exposure to a host of ailments.
That’s why the Northern Kentucky Health Department inspects roughly 360 public pool facilities in the four-county region each May before the official outdoor swimming season kicks off on Memorial Day.
“All pools and spas are permitted annually, and are required to be inspected and approved before they can open for use,” says Steve Divine, Director of the Division of Environmental Health and Safety for the Northern Kentucky Health Department. “This means that roughly 360 initial opening inspections are performed beginning in mid-May, with many needing follow-up inspections before they can open due to not meeting all requirements during the first visit. Once open, public pools and spas are visited monthly for water quality monitoring, receive a second full inspection during the operating season, and can also be visited as a result of a complaint or operating issue.”
A long list of items and conditions are looked at during an inspection. However, the issues that most people are familiar with come down to water filtration and disinfection, overall water chemistry, appropriate safety measures, sanitary conditions, and general operations of the pool facility.
Water chemistry deficiencies can be a common problem and takes effort on the part of the pool operator to maintain good water quality for pool users. This includes keeping the disinfectant levels, pH, alkalinity, and turbidity (how clear the water is), within acceptable ranges. Add in summer heat and sunshine, sweaty bodies, spit, and the occasional urine in the pool, and good water chemistry can become challenging.
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be transmitted from one person to another through the water or on nearby surfaces. Examples include norovirus, E. coli, cryptosporidium, shigella, rashes, and others.
Pools not meeting operating requirements pose a much greater risk of illness or injury to users. Actions taken when violations are found during inspections can lead to a temporary pool closure until the corrections have been performed. This occurs often during a typical season with such a large number of pools.
In total, NKY Health staff provide more than 2,000 services yearly related to public pools in an attempt to help provide as safe and healthy an experience possible to all those who use them.
Public swimming/bathing facilities are generally any pool or hot tub that is not located at a private single-family residence used by the owner and guests. The vast majority of those are seasonal outdoor pools. These include HOA and apartment pools, swim clubs, recreational centers, and spray pads. There are also indoor pools and spas that operate year-round at such places as recreational clubs, hotels, residential common areas, and similar facilities. Pool owners/operators are responsible for ensuring public pool facilities operate within required regulations and guidelines.
Summer and swimming are a great combination. The Northern Kentucky Health Department goes to great lengths to assure everyone can enjoy the experience without letting gastrointestinal and respiratory germs join the party.
