Survey of environmental health status, physicochemical and microbiological quality of swimming pools in Tabriz, 2017

Nowadays, swimming pools as a sport and entertainment center have found more popularity. Violation of health based standards in terms of physicochemical, microbial and environmental health indices can turn pools into a potential source of disease transmission and spread. Due to the importance of maintaining swimmers’ comfort, health, and safety, the present study was aimed to consider environmental health status and physicochemical and microbial quality of swimming pools water in Tabriz. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the official checklists of swimming pools (consisting 10 public and 22 private swimming pools) were obtained from Tabriz Health Center. According to the inspections conducted in February 2017 and August 2017, the related information was extracted from the checklist. Data were analyzed using Excel software, SPSS version 23 and Chi-Square test. The average accordance of the physicochemical parameters with the standards for public and private pools was 67.5% and 65%, respectively. Among the physicochemical parameters, the residual free chlorine showed less accordance with the standards. On average, in the summer 49.5% and in the winter 28% of the pools showed microbial contamination. The residual free chlorine values ​​in the pool, Jacuzzi and chiller indicated a weak management of pools and a high potential for pathogenicity. Therefore, continual surveillance of the environmental health status and planning for an objective inspection program by the local authorities, especially in private sector, is suggested.