Water Testing
WATER TESTING
Swimming Pools, Hydrotherapy Pools and Spas
It is essential that all swimming pools, hydrotherapy pools and spas are regularly treated with disinfectants to ensure that bacteria, or any other micro-organisms which get into the water, are killed. Unless properly maintained, swimming pools and spas can actually become a health risk to users. If good standards of hygiene are not maintained, water polluted by bathers can lead to the spread of infectious diseases including:
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· gastro-intestinal infections
· nose, throat and respiratory
infections
· skin infections
· eye infections and
conjunctivitis
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Managers of public swimming pools, hydrotherapy pools and spas have a particular responsibility to ensure that the facility they are providing is both safe and hygienic. While there are no specific health and safety regulations governing swimming pools, hydrotherapy pools and spas, paras 15 to 41 of HSE document HSG179 (Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools) summarise the health and safety legislation with which all pool operators must comply. As well as providing risk assessments, routine sampling and testing must be undertaken and documentary evidence must be provided and maintained to demonstrate compliance with the relevant statutory provisions. In addition to the daily use of insitu test kits, pool operators are advised to provide monthly analytical results, from an independent third party laboratory, which detail the microbiological quality of the water in their pools and spas.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) publish recommended bacteriological standards for pools and spas and these should be the standard by which all facilities are maintained. To ensure that pool operators are fully in compliance with these recommendations, Microbac provides a microbiological testing service for pool waters. Monthly sampling and testing is undertaken and full remedial advice given. A documented troubleshooting guide, detailing remedial action to be taken in the event of bacterial contamination, and full training can be provided for pool operators.