Swimming Pool Water Analysis

Swimming is a popular and healthy leisure activity and people across the globe like to take a dip in the swimming pool when they are free, either to ensure health or merely for relaxation.

But the water of the swimming pools can lead to multiple problems of the user, if quality of the water in the swimming pool is not ensured and maintained.

Major reasons behind swimming pool water contamination:

• Infected swimmers.
• Make up water from an unsanitary source.
• Rain Water containing microscopic algae spores and acids (Acid Rain)
• Bird droppings.
• Windblown dirt and debris

Contaminants introduced by swimmers can dramatically influence the operation of indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Sources include micro-organisms from infected swimmers and body oils including sweat, cosmetics, suntan lotion, urine, saliva and fecal matter. In addition, the interaction between disinfectants and pool water contaminants can produce a mixture of chloramines and other disinfection by-products.

Usage of Chlorine as a disinfectant in swimming pools is quiet common. But instances of over chlorination and problems faced by the swimmers because of the same are equally common.

Similarly, ozone charging of the swimming pool water, to get rid of all the microbial contaminants is also done often. But instance of over usage of ozone have also been reported. Excess ozone leaves the smell of dead fish in the swimming pool, and is potentially dangerous for the swimmers using the pool.

Problems faced because of bad quality Swimming Pool Water:

Pathogenic contaminants are of greatest concern in swimming pools as they have been associated with numerous recreational water illnesses (RWIs). Public health pathogens can be present in swimming pools as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Diarrhea is the most commonly reported illness associated with pathogenic contaminants, while other diseases associated with untreated pools are Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis. Other illnesses commonly occurring in poorly maintained swimming pools include Otitis Externa, commonly called swimmers ear, skin rashes and respiratory infections.

Excess Chlorine in the water can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, nasal tract, throat and even the lungs. Elongated exposure to high levels of Chlorine time might lead to infections of lungs and skin.

Ozone is the strongest oxidizing agent present on Earth. Thus excess ozone is also potentially harmful to human beings. The external body parts of the human beings gets oxidized in exposure to high levels of ozone and several respiratory and lung diseases are also caused by Ozone.

The Equinox Advantage:

Equinox offer an extensive range of specialist laboratory water testing and microbiology services developed specifically for swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. These tests are an essential component of any swimming pool and spa maintenance programme and help to ensure safe, clean water conditions are maintained.

Equinox analysis services that include Total Viable Counts (TVC’s) at 22 Celsius and 38 Celsius, Coli forms, E.coli O157 (by membrane filtration), Legionella, Pseudomonas, fecal Streptococci and Clostridium perfringens. Additionally, we are also able to perform microbiology and bacteria testing of potable and drinking water supplies, and other waters including cooling towers, storage tanks etc.

These laboratory based services can also be used for the microbiological analysis of test samples to assist in the identification of food poisoning bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria, E.coli O157, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens.