Factsheet605 Domestic+swimming+pools+water+care June2013
Factsheet605 Domestic+swimming+pools+water+care June2013
Why keep your pool clean? Seek advice from an environmental health
officer at the local council if another water
Poorly maintained pools can create
source is to be used.
potential health risks for users. Harmful
bacteria and viruses must be killed quickly
to prevent user infection. Contaminants Water treatment
such as sunscreen, skin and hair should
also be treated or removed. Algae must Water remains in a pool for long periods of
also be controlled. time, so it must be treated to keep it clean
and safe. Proper disinfection and filtration
Contact with water contaminated with of pool water kills harmful microorganisms
microorganisms may lead to infections of and removes body fats, oils, soil and other
the skin, ears, eyes, central nervous contaminants.
system or digestive system. Hazardous
organisms can be introduced by humans, Water filtration
animals and the environment. Most cause Pool water must be regularly circulated and
mild disease but some infections can be filtered. If the pool filter doesn’t operate
serious or fatal. properly, the chemicals added to keep the
pool disinfected and clean will not be
Pool safety is also important. Children effective.
should always be supervised and pools
securely fenced. Domestic pool owners Common filter types include sand filters,
should be trained to perform diatomaceous earth and cartridge filters.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The filter system should be able to
completely filter a volume of water
equivalent to the volume of all the water in
the pool within six to eight hours. The
filtration system should operate
continuously when a pool is being used
and for at least one hour afterwards. Filters
should be cleaned regularly to ensure they
are operating at maximum efficiency.
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