Assessment of the Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Quality Of Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Many potential pathogens could be acquired from swimming pool water during
bathing. Hence microbial examination of swimming pool water samples is necessary to ensure
that the water is safe for swimming. As it is impractical to screen all samples for all possible
pathogens, indicator organisms have been used as surrogate markers of risk.
Objectives: The study aimed at assessing the physico-chemical (chlorine, PH, temperature)
and microbiological conditions of swimming pools and evaluating the compliance of
these pools with the WHO standard.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from February for four months(2016-May
2016).A total of 60 swimming pool water samples from 10 swimming pools (6 from each
pool)were collected on a weekly basis for physicochemical and bacteriological analysis using
the MPN method. PH, residual chlorine and Temperature of the swimming pool water samples
were measured. In addition, total viable count and coli form count (total coli form, fecal coli
form and (E.coli) were determined. Chi-square test was used for association and data was
analyzed using SPSS Version 20.Results were compared with the WHO recommended limits for
each parameter.
Results: The swimming pool water samples had average pH and temperature of 7.1 and 29c
respectively.58.4%(n=35/60) of the samples had PH in the range of 7.2-7.8 while
58.3%(n=35/60) of samples had temperature in the range of 21c-32c.25%(n=15/60)of the
swimming pool water samples had residual chlorine in the range of 2-3mg/l.73.3%(n=44/60) of
swimming pool water samples had a total viable count below 200cfu/ml and 70 %(n-42/60) of
swimming water samples had TCC values less than 2MPN/100ml.More over, 66.7%(n=40/60)
of the samples had fecal coli form counts falling bellow 1MPN/100ml.E. coli was present in
30%(n=18/60) of swimming pool water samples while it was absent in 70%(n=42/60) pool
water samples. It was also found out that PH and residual chlorine had association with pot
ability while temperature was not.
Conclusion: It was observed that 70% (n=42/60) of the swimming pool water samples met
the WHO microbial standard while 30%(n=18/60) did not.
Key words: Swimming pools, microbial contaminations, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Description
Keywords
Swimming pools, Microbial contaminations