Assessing the water quality of selected public swimming pools within the Johannesburg area of the Gauteng province, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract: A number of contaminants in public swimming pools have been recognised globally, all of which are detrimental to the quality of such amenities as well as to human health. Thus, swimming pool water may serve as a medium for the transmission of waterborne pathogens amongst swimmers unless appropriate preventive measures are properly implemented. Moreover, at certain times various researchers have linked the poor quality of swimming pool waters to pathogenic outbreaks. Despite such negative health impacts, studies focusing on the water quality of swimming pools are limited in South Africa. Even so, the quality of drinking water in most African countries is alarming, let alone the quality of public swimming pool water. As a result, the present study was carried out to assess the water quality of selected public swimming pools within the CoJ Metropolitan Municipality, in the Gauteng province in South Africa. The swimming pool water’s pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, free available chlorine, total chlorine, alkalinity, water hardness, and cyanuric acid were measured on site while the collected water samples were analysed at the laboratory for the presence microbiological agents (i.e. E. coli and total faecal coliforms). The results showed different degrees of unsatisfactory and non-compliance across all selected public swimming pools. The findings also indicated the presence of waterborne pathogens largely due to inadequate disinfection. It has also been established that the existing recirculation-filtration systems are not always working optimally (due to electrical load shedding) and water chemical imbalances, thus resulting in water quality non-compliance. Unfortunately, surrounding communities use such facilities for recreation and leisure time, despite their health and hazard potential. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the swimming pool waters must be effectively treated to inactivate and kill microbes, therefore providing chemically balanced water. Furthermore, water quality testing kits and water quality sensors can be used to measure multiple physical and chemical water quality parameters simultaneously and to provide instant results.M.Sc. (Environmental Management