Safeguard pool users' health

Mike Exell, Andrew BrosnanKalgoorlie Miner
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Spending time in a pool is the best way to beat the summer heat, but swimmers are urged to think twice before they jump in.

Still warm water can harbour many different kinds of bacteria and, as temperatures in the region hover around 40C, owners are reminded to check their pools and spas.

Pool owners need to check their pH and chlorine levels to ensure there is no bacteria in the pool which can lead to stomach aches, skin irritation and the deadly amoebic meningitis.

WA Health Environmental Health acting director Richard Theobald said pH levels need to be monitored closely every day to ensure they stay in the safe range, between 7.2 and 7.8.

Mr Theobald said maintaining the pool’s pH level was an important step towards stopping the rare, but potentially fatal, amoebic meningitis.

“Amoeba thrives in warm water temperatures between 28C and 40C and enters through the nose of the swimmer,” he said.

“Making sure the pH levels are in a safe range is an important preventative step, but those using pool covers need to check their water more frequently as the covers can cause water temperatures to rise more quickly."

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