Arlington shuts splash pads as possible Naegleria Fowleri detected

Arlington - In a precautionary measure, the City of Arlington has temporarily shut down all public splash pads and pools, Dallas Metro News reported. The decision follows the discovery of a potential Naegleria fowleri amoeba contamination in a water sample taken from the California Lane Park splash pad. The sample was part of a voluntary federal study conducted in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The city has been actively participating in an EPA study aimed at evaluating the safety of public splash pads. As part of this study, water samples were collected from the California Lane Park splash pad twice—once in July and again in August—and sent to an EPA lab for analysis.

The EPA informed Arlington on Tuesday, Aug. 29, that a sample collected on Aug. 17 was "presumed positive" for Naegleria fowleri based on initial lab findings. Further testing, known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, are underway to confirm these preliminary results. The testing is taking place at a lab in Gainesville, Florida, and may be delayed due to Hurricane Idalia, which is currently affecting the area.

“The City of Arlington is committed to the highest standards of safety and transparency and will keep the community updated regarding the pending test results,” said Parks and Recreation Director James Orloski. “Our industry-leading protocols and the advanced technology we have in place give us confidence in the chemical monitoring and treatment at our aquatics facilities.”

Arlington has not been notified of any illnesses or hospitalizations linked to any of its aquatic facilities.

In an effort to enhance public safety, the City of Arlington has temporarily closed all public splash pads and pools. The move comes after the EPA's notification of a presumed Naegleria fowleri amoeba presence in a water sample from California Lane Park. Naegleria fowleri can cause a rare and deadly infection in humans. The amoeba was implicated in the 2021 death of Bakari Williams, who fell ill after visiting a splash pad in Arlington. Following the tragic incident, the city initiated the Bakari Williams Protocol, aimed at boosting the safety of aquatic facilities through enhanced maintenance and chemical testing measures.

Upon receiving the EPA's notification, Arlington verified that the water chlorination levels at California Lane Park were consistently within safe limits throughout the summer season. Automated controllers measured average chlorination levels at 3.5 parts per million, significantly above the CDC's recommended levels. City staff also conducted manual water quality tests multiple times a day while the facility was open.

Despite the low incidence of Naegleria fowleri infections—only 29 cases were reported in the U.S. from 2013 to 2022, according to CDC data—the risk remains a public concern. The amoeba usually enters the human body through the nose and is commonly found in warm, freshwater bodies. Symptoms of the infection may appear within one to five days and can include fever, headache, nausea, or vomiting, progressing to more severe symptoms like stiff neck, seizures, and coma.

People who have visited California Lane Park recently are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms like fever, headaches, or a stiff neck. Further information on Naegleria fowleri can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The city's public splash pads have been closed since Tuesday, Aug. 29, while outdoor pools were shut down on Sunday, Aug. 27, and the East indoor pool on Wednesday, Aug. 30. All these facilities will remain closed until further clarification.

It's worth noting that Arlington's drinking water supply remains unaffected and continues to meet all state and federal safety guidelines.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, City of Arlington