Analysis of Chemical and Microbial Contents of Public Swimming Pools’ Water in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Building Department, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Uyo, Nigeria

10.7508/pj.2016.01.005

Abstract

This study assessed the chemical and microbial contents in the water of public swimming pools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 16 public pools were selected through probability sampling from the 32 pools that existed in the five urban areas of Akwa Ibom State. Water samples were collected from the sampled pools and tested in the laboratory for chemical and microbial contents. Results showed that the chemical contents of most pools in the study area were less than the values recommended for effective disinfection of the pools. Average free chlorine ranged from 0.05 mg/L to 1.15 mg/L 200 Cfu/ml permissible, except for pools L and M, with 1.8×102 Cfu/ml and 1.7×102 Cfu/ml, respectively. Mean fecal coliform ranged from 2.0×103 Cfu/ml to 4.4×103 Cfu/ml >10 Cfu/100 ml permissible, except for pools L and M, with 0.0 Cfu/ml. It could therefore be concluded that only one out of every eight public swimming pools in Akwa Ibom State meet the minimum requirement for both chemical and microbial contents. This simply implies that most public swimming pools in the study area are not safe for users.

Keywords


Alia A, Aljanahi, A and Khan, M (2014). A Preliminary Assessment of the Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the School Swimming Pool Water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. INT J ENVIRON SCI DEV. 5 (3), 303 – 308.
Aljanahi, A (2013) Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Swimming pool. Documentation of waterborne parasitic protozoan outbreaks and surveillance ... Australia and the United Kingdom. Retrieved on 12th August 2015 from: http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs /2004/pdf/ cryptopools .pdf
American Public Health Association (2005). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, 21st Edition. (American Public Health Association, Washington DC).
Bellis, M. (1997). Swimming Pools- History of Swimming Pools. Retrieved September 9, 2012 from http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blswimming pools.htm.
Braue, A., Ross, G., Varigos, G., Kelly, H., 2005. Epidemiology and impact of childhood Molluscum contagiosum: a case series and critical review of the literature. Pediatr. Dermatol. 22, 287–294.
Brewin, B (2009). Capture, Recovery and Isolation of Cryptosporidium and Advice as to how Pool Operators could Implement this in Practice. Swimming Pool and Spa International Conference 2009. London. P 1-6.
Egboluchi, U. (2009). The Sorry State of Nigeria Stadia, Expository essay in Nigeria Vanguard Newspapers. June, 9.
Ekpenyong, R. (2013). An Assessment of the threats to Global Warming in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. GREENER J EVIRON MANAGE SAFETY. 2 (2), 065-074.
Evans O, Cantú R, Bahymer TD, Kryak DD, Dufour AP (2001) A pilot study to determine the water volume ingested by recreational swimmers. Paper presented to 2001 Annual Meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis, Seattle, Washington, 2–5.
Folu, A. (2009). Nigeria’s Maintenance Culture: My Nigerian Perspective. A view on Nigeria from a western perspective. Retrieved October 6, 2012 from http://www.nigerian perspective.blogspot.com/2009/01/nigeri’smaintenance-culture.html.
Haraldsson, I and Cordero, A (2014). Geothermal Baths, Swimming Pools and Spas: Examples from Ecuador and Iceland. United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme. Retrieved on 10th from: http://www.os.is/gogn/unu-gtp-sc/UNU-GTP-SC-18-22.pdf
Health System Accountability and Performance- HSAP (2014). Pool Standards. Alberta Health www.health.alberta.ca/about/health-legislation.html#Standards
Ikpo, I. (2006). Building Maintenance Management. Mansion publishing company, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
Itah A and Ekpombok M. (2004). Pollution status of swimming pools in south-south zone of south-eastern Nigeria using microbiological and physicochemical indices. Southeast Asian. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health; 35(2): 488-93.
Iwarere, H. and Lawal, K. (2011). Performance Measures of Maintenance of Public Facilities in Nigeria. RES J BUS MANAGE. 5 (1): 16-25.
Joce, R.; Bruce, J and Kiely, E. (1991). An outbreak of Cryptospondiosis Associated with a Swimming Pool. EPIDEMIOL INFECT, 107: 497 – 508.
Kola, A (2011). Why We Lack Maintenance Culture in Nigeria. Retrieved October 6, 2012 from http://www.kolaakomlede.com/2011/07/why-we-lack-maintenance-culture-in-nigeria/.
Mattei, A., Beber, M. and Madrid I ( 2014) Spread Of Fungal Infections in Animals and Humans. Dermatophytosis in Small Animals. SOJ MICROBIOL INFECT DIS. 2(3): 1-6.
Nichols, G., 2006. Infection risks from water in natural and man-made environments. Euro Surveill. 11 (4), 76–78.
Public Swimming Pool and Spa Pool Advisory Document (2013). Health Protection North Sydney. Retrieved from http://www.health.nsw.gov.au.
Schets, F., Engels, G., Evers, E. (2004). Cryptosporidium and Giardia in swimming pools in the Netherlands. J Water Health 2 (3), 191–200.
Sima R., Mohammad A., Leila I., Mahmood S., Hamid R. and Mohammad P. (2012): Assessment of Microbial Contamination and Physicochemical Condition of Public Swimming Pools in Kashan, Iran. Jundishapur J Microbiol, 5(3):450-455.
Somekh, E., Cesar, K., Handser, R., Hanukoglu, A., Dalal, I., Ballin, A., Shohat, T., 2003. An outbreak of echovirus 13 meningitis in central Israel. Epidemiol. Infect. 130, 257–262.
Tate, D., Mawer, S., Newton, A., 2003. Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis associated with a swimming pool inflatable. Epidemiol. Infect. 130, 187–192.
WHO, 2006. Microbial hazards. In: Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments. Swimming Pools and similar Environments, 2. WHO Press, Geneva, Switzerland. 26–59 (Chapter 3).