DAVIS COUNTY, Utah -- Many Utahns will head to public pools this weekend to beat the heat, but there are more dangers than just drowning lurking in public pools.
FOX 13 News’ Carly Figueroa followed the Davis County Health Department as they inspected local pools.
When’s the last time you asked about the pH level of the pool before getting in the water? The good news is county health departments are asking so you don’t have to.
“Make sure everything is running correctly, make sure all of the stuff is in place. Make sure that the filters are working correctly, that it's putting the right amount of chemicals out just for the health and safety of the public,” said Loren Allen with the Water Bureau League in the Davis County Health Department.
In addition to the regular and random inspections from the county, the aquatics manager at Layton City Surf n Swim pool said they check the water every other hour and urge swimmers to shower every time they enter and exit the pool.
“Every time you go to the bathroom take another shower then you can get back into the pool, less contamination gets in that way,” said Josh Dukes, who is the Layton City pool aquatics manager.
“I just think that all of the pools have to maintain this high measure of cleanliness so you don't get a whole city full of sick kids,” said pool patron Linda Nicoson.
In 2007 an outbreak of cryptosporidium sickened thousands of Utahns and changed public pool operations state-wide.
“They've put UV systems in because crypto is pretty resistant to chlorine, so pools have upgraded their systems where UV will kill, so our big pools have put that in and that's really helped,” Allen said.
It's all in an effort to avoid eye, ear, and skin infections as well as serious sickness. The aquatics manager here said swimmers are always allowed to ask what chemicals are in the pool. It’s also a good idea to ask when the pool was inspected last.
Layton City Surf n Swim passed county health inspection with flying colors; patrons said that's why they keep coming back.
“I see people cleaning it all the time, picking up the trash, the lifeguards, everybody," Nicoson said. "I know this pool is clean, so that's why I come here."
