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Report Tries to Ruin Our Summer by Reminding Us Public Pools Are Disgusting
Nothing says summer like a refreshing dip in a public pool, right? It’s a budget-friendly way to beat the heat and keep the kids entertained. But hold onto your floaties! A recent CDC report has splashed some cold water on our summer fun, revealing that many public pools are more like Olympic-sized petri dishes filled with a cocktail of bodily fluids, chemicals, and unsightly bacteria. If you’re not convinced, brace yourself for the details.
The CDC took a deep dive into 84,187 routine inspections of public pools, hot tubs, and water parks across five states, and guess what? Nearly 80% of these aquatic facilities had at least one health or safety violation. Even worse, a shocking one in eight had violations so severe they had to close their doors immediately. The locations under scrutiny? New York, California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida—home to a hefty 40% of the nation’s public water venues, according to the LA Times.
What were the common culprits? Think pH levels on a rollercoaster ride, inadequate safety equipment (yikes!), and disinfectant levels that were more questionable than your best friend’s cooking.
Now, you might be able to ignore these results on their own, but when you pair them with other CDC findings, it’s hard to look at a pool the same way again. Just last year, they warned about red eyes and skin irritation from—surprise!—a high volume of urine in the water. And a few years back, they found that 58% of public pool filters tested positive for E. Coli, a sure sign of fecal contamination.
Knowing that public pools can double as community toilets is enough to make anyone reconsider that cannonball. But fear not! If your kids are determined to swim (and let’s face it, they probably are), there are steps you can take to minimize the ick factor.
The CDC suggests showering before jumping in to keep the pool as clean as possible. You might also want to invest in test strips to monitor disinfectant and pH levels before diving into that chlorinated abyss. And for the love of all things holy, please remind everyone that the pool is not a bathroom—let’s keep it a swimming pool, not a four-foot deep toilet!
If this news has you feeling scarred for life, don’t fret. Public pools were questionable long before these reports came out, and we all survived. Your kids will likely be just fine. But if you’re still wary of the idea of them swimming in a “pee soup,” consider some classic summer fun with squirt guns and water balloons instead.
For more parenting tips and tricks, check out our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination kits. And if you’re looking for reliable information on artificial insemination, Make A Mom is an excellent resource. Plus, if you’re exploring pregnancy options, Hopkins Medicine offers fantastic insights into fertility services.
Summary
Public pools may seem like a fun summer escape, but a recent CDC report reveals they often harbor health violations and contaminants like E. Coli and high urine levels. With nearly 80% of pools inspected failing to meet safety standards, it’s wise to take precautions. Showering before swimming, testing pool water, and enforcing bathroom breaks can help keep your family safe. Summer fun doesn’t have to be ruined—squirt guns and water balloons are always an option!