Summer, Hotel Pools, Home Pools and Such ....
Jul 19th, 2005, 08:18 AM
#1
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Summer, Hotel Pools, Home Pools and Such ....
I am posting this to vent my disappointment regarding a particular pool! NOW ... the one I'm going to complain about is our local YMCA outdoor pool, and the fact that it is being closed almost every day because of "fecal contamination." WHY? Because the HUGE, beautiful "general" pool is being turned into one giant baby pool because our Y will not make sensible rules and enforce them.
We have a baby pool, but the majority of the mothers don't want to use it because their older kids want to get in the big pool, and the mother can't be both places. So babies and toddlers go into the big pool, and bingo! It has to be closed and shocked for nine hours because of fecal contamination. The solution, I think, is that children four years of age and under not be allowed in the general pool, no exceptions. (I know, there are plenty of kids under that age who are trained, but a lot of them will hold and hold, because they don't want to get out of the water. Then ... accident! Also, some parents shade the truth about their toddlers being trained ....) The swim diapers that you can put on kids do not really work ... they leak material, in studies that have been done, even though you may not "see" it! (And many parents don't bother with them. You wouldn't believe how many kids I see, one and two years old, with just a swimsuit on!) And yes, I know, occasionally, it is an older child or adult with a problem, but that is rare.
Many of our members are ready to riot over this, and are asking for their monthly charge to be refunded. Our pool was closed Friday, Saturday and yesterday. One lifeguard told me that one week last year, it was closed six out of seven days. When you only have three months to swim at your outdoor pool, and this continues to happen in the heat of the summer, it is infuriating, especially considering our monthly membership fee.
Is anyone else here encountering this kind of problem with their YMCA or membership pools? (Workers at the Y tell me that the director is being besieged with phone calls,and some people threatening to make signs and call the local paper! It's tempting ...
)
We have a baby pool, but the majority of the mothers don't want to use it because their older kids want to get in the big pool, and the mother can't be both places. So babies and toddlers go into the big pool, and bingo! It has to be closed and shocked for nine hours because of fecal contamination. The solution, I think, is that children four years of age and under not be allowed in the general pool, no exceptions. (I know, there are plenty of kids under that age who are trained, but a lot of them will hold and hold, because they don't want to get out of the water. Then ... accident! Also, some parents shade the truth about their toddlers being trained ....) The swim diapers that you can put on kids do not really work ... they leak material, in studies that have been done, even though you may not "see" it! (And many parents don't bother with them. You wouldn't believe how many kids I see, one and two years old, with just a swimsuit on!) And yes, I know, occasionally, it is an older child or adult with a problem, but that is rare.
Many of our members are ready to riot over this, and are asking for their monthly charge to be refunded. Our pool was closed Friday, Saturday and yesterday. One lifeguard told me that one week last year, it was closed six out of seven days. When you only have three months to swim at your outdoor pool, and this continues to happen in the heat of the summer, it is infuriating, especially considering our monthly membership fee.
Is anyone else here encountering this kind of problem with their YMCA or membership pools? (Workers at the Y tell me that the director is being besieged with phone calls,and some people threatening to make signs and call the local paper! It's tempting ...
)
Jul 19th, 2005, 08:42 AM
#3
This also happens at my local Y, although not nearly as much as yours. We don't really have a baby pool, but we do have a fabulous outdoor pool with a slide and fountains which is primarily for younger kids.
Jul 19th, 2005, 10:41 AM
#4
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I worked at a pool during college and my belief is: I'm glad I no longer work at one.
Fecal contamination can cause a big public health problem, so I understand the need to treat the pool after a contamination. Maybe more education on the subject by the staff or hourly 'pool break' for about 15 minutes would encourage more bathroom breaks.
I feel for the director. S/He is getting complaints from every direction ('the kids poop in the pool so I can't use it and I pay $$$ in fees for a pool' to 'why can't my toddler swim in the big pool. I'm with the child every second and, by the way, I pay $$$ in fees to use the pool')
Fecal contamination can cause a big public health problem, so I understand the need to treat the pool after a contamination. Maybe more education on the subject by the staff or hourly 'pool break' for about 15 minutes would encourage more bathroom breaks.
I feel for the director. S/He is getting complaints from every direction ('the kids poop in the pool so I can't use it and I pay $$$ in fees for a pool' to 'why can't my toddler swim in the big pool. I'm with the child every second and, by the way, I pay $$$ in fees to use the pool')
Jul 19th, 2005, 10:51 AM
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If I remember right in NC, a public pool needs to have the chemical levels checked only 4 times a day. I think apartment and hotel pools were included as 'public' (even though use is limited to residents/guests). A place like the YMCA probably checks them every hour.
Though most people complain about chlorine, pH is the biggest concern with water chemistry. And if you can smell the chlorine, it's in the air and not in the pool.
Urine isn't a problem, because it is chemically similar to sweat. Sunscreen is a no-no so that is why pool staff wants you to shower before entering. But the worst thing is cut-offs. The fraying gets into the filter system, clogging it up, and could cause it to break down (sort of like hair in the vacuum), thereby, not having a pool until it is fixed.
Though most people complain about chlorine, pH is the biggest concern with water chemistry. And if you can smell the chlorine, it's in the air and not in the pool.
Urine isn't a problem, because it is chemically similar to sweat. Sunscreen is a no-no so that is why pool staff wants you to shower before entering. But the worst thing is cut-offs. The fraying gets into the filter system, clogging it up, and could cause it to break down (sort of like hair in the vacuum), thereby, not having a pool until it is fixed.
Jul 19th, 2005, 10:53 AM
#6
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ncgrrl, we DO have a 10 minute break on the hour when all kids must get out of the pool. This is a health issue ... parents of these babies and toddlers need to keep them in the baby pool; if there's a problem there, then it can be closed without ruining pool time for all the people who are enjoying the big pool. It is the aquatics director's job to set up sensible, healthy guidelines and see that they're followed, or she shouldn't hold that position. Thanks for your replies, all!
