Evaluating Cleanliness of Swimmer Equipment

Abstract

Public swimming pools as well as surfaces surrounding pools are disinfected thoroughly due to their potential to harbor and spread dangerous pathogens. However, swim equipment, such as snorkels, paddles, kickboards, and flotation devices, used in the pool are lacking in research regarding their cleanliness. This research explores quantities of microorganisms that indicate cleanliness and the presence of feces on snorkels and paddles at a swimming pool. Both fecal coliforms and heterotrophic bacteria were detected on snorkels and paddles. Enforcing a disinfection protocol for pool equipment is recommended as a precaution to potentially hazardous fecal coliforms infecting users.