30% of pool owners admit they pee in pools

(KYMA, KECY) - A survey found that 30% of pool owners admit they pee in their pool. This reduces the amount of chlorine available to kill dangerous parasites, bacteria, and viruses like the coronavirus.

The Water Quality and Health Council conducted the survey along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).

Chris Wiant, chairman of the Water Quality and Health Council says this survey is done each year via telephone.

About half of the pool owners said they would not invite guests back if they found out a guest peed in the pool; however, about a third pee in the pool themselves.

"If it's somebody else then that's a bad practice, but if it's you, then maybe that's OK," Wiant said.

Additionally, 54% said they don't shower before swimming and 28% said they would swim within an hour of having diarrhea.

Wiant says it's important to maintain pH and chlorine levels in pools. This ensures the pool is safe for swimming and will avoid the spread of harmful substances.

When storing pool chemicals, make sure to keep them away from children. The survey says 90% of pool owners store chemicals in potentially unsafe locations.

When urine, feces or other substances enter the pool, it uses up the chlorine. Therefore, it must be replenished to avoid the spread of bacteria and viruses.

"The chlorine is gone and what happens is a virus like COVID is introduced, then there's some greater chance that the COVID might survive and someone else could be exposed," Wiant stated.

According to the CDC, there is no evidence the coronavirus can be spread through pools or hot tubs.

Tune in tonight at 4 p.m. on 13 On Your Side as April Hettinger delivers a full explanation of this survey.