May 18-24, 2009 marks the fifth annual National Recreation Water Illness (RWI) Prevention Week, just in time for the summer swimming season.

What’s a RWI?
RWIs are illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing in vapors, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, water parks, spas, lakes, rivers or oceans. RWIs can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal, skin, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea.

How are RWIs spread?
If a swimmer is ill with diarrhea, the germs that they carry can contaminate the water if they have an “accident” in the pool. On average, people have about 0.14 grams of feces on their bottoms which, when rinsed off, can contaminate recreational water. In addition, lakes, rivers, and the ocean can be contaminated by sewage spills, animal waste, and water runoff following rainfall. Some common germs can also live for long periods of time in salt water.

The Six Healthy Swimming Steps:
The most effective way to prevent RWIs is to keep germs out of the pool in the first place. Everyone can help to create a healthy swimming environment by following the six healthy swimming steps:

(1) PLEASE don’t swim when you have diarrhea.

(2) PLEASE don’t swallow pool water.

(3) PLEASE practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.

(4) PLEASE take your kids on frequent bathroom breaks or check diapers often.

(5) PLEASE change diapers in a bathroom and NOT poolside.

(6) PLEASE wash your children thoroughly with soap and water before they go swimming.

For more information, please visit: CDC’s Healthy Swimming

The week preceding Memorial Day is designated by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week. During this week, the CDC is highlighting the importance of healthy swimming, healthy swimming behaviors, and recreational water illness prevention by emphasizing operation and prevention tips for pool operators and pool patrons to ensure a healthy swimming experience.

In order to protect swimmers’ health, pool chemicals are added to recreational water facilities to prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading from one person to another. However, the CDC points out that if handled recklessly, these pool chemicals can cause severe injury which can be preventable. Injuries can occur by inhaling chemical fumes, attempting to pre-dissolve pool chemicals or if the chemicals are splashed into the eyes.

It is important to remember that these types of injuries are not limited to those who handle chemicals; swimmers and others in the surrounding area may also be injured.

Public pool operators and residential pool owners can help to protect themselves and others by taking these key steps:

• Always secure pool chemicals away from children and animals
• Always read product label and manufacturer’s directions before each use
• Always use appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when handling pool chemicals

• Never mix chlorine products with each other, with acid, or with any other substance

For more information about safe use of pool chemicals, please visit: Preventing Pool Chemical Associated Injuries

Do you know what’s in your public pool? Findings from a recent survey show that when it comes to public pools this summer, watch thy fellow swimmer closely! Rather than worry about the availability of lounge chairs, lockers, and food and beverages, swimmers should be thinking more about basic questions of pool water cleanliness.

According to a survey conducted by the Water Quality and Health Council, 84 percent of Americans believe their fellow swimmers participate in unhygienic pool behavior – and they may be right. In fact, almost half (47%) admit to one or more behaviors that contribute to an unhealthy pool.

Urinating in the pool? One in five say they’ve done it (17 percent) – and eight in ten (78 percent) are convinced their fellow swimmers are guilty. As far as showering goes – forget it. Roughly one third (35 percent) pass the shower without stopping and three quarters (73%) say their fellow swimmers fail to shower before swimming.

Why Worry? Despite strong doubts about their fellow swimmers, only a third (36%) say pool water cleanliness is top of mind when they head to the pool. At the same time, most (63%) are unaware of illnesses associated with swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated pool water. In fact, less than one quarter consider the frequency of pool cleaning and chemical treatment (23%) and even less (16 %) think about chlorine levels to maintain clean pool water.

Unclean water can lead to recreational water illnesses (RWIs) – diarrhea, respiratory illness, and ear and skin infections. Children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems can suffer from more severe illness if infected. According to the CDC, these illnesses are on the rise. Between 2005 and 2006, 78 outbreaks were reported in 31 states –the largest number of outbreaks ever in a two-year period. Close to 4,500 people were affected.

The Water Quality and Health Council urges summer swimmers to practice swimming habits. Look for water that's clean, clear and blue. Check for tiles that feel smooth and clean. Make sure there are no strong odors. Listen for pool cleaning equipment. Using your senses, and following the CDC’s six simple swimming steps will lead to a healthy and fun swimming summer.

For more information on identifying and maintaining a healthy pool, as well as healthy swim behaviors, please visit http://www.healthypools.org and www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.

The survey was conducted online between April 30 to May 3, 2009 among a national sample of 1,000 US Adults, using the field services of TNS Omnibus. Results were weighted to reflect the adult population based on US Census figures, including age, gender, geographic region, household income and household size. The margin of error for the study was +/-3.1 percentage points at 95% confidence.

In The News-is a bi-weekly, online service from the Water Quality & Health Council.  The publication is updated every other Friday and can be viewed by logging onto www.waterandhealth.org.  To receive the publication via e-mail, please click here and enter your e-mail address to join our mailing list.