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Poorly maintained public pools a growing concern as germs, parasites cause illnesses
Nothing says "South Florida lifestyle" like a pool, a tropical oasis where you can take a dip year-round. But hundreds of pools are closed annually for carrying parasites, bacteria and other pathogens that can make swimmers seriously ill.
Swimming pools and spas in South Florida's apartment complexes, hotels and health clubs were closed a record 2,516 times last year for posing potential health hazards, a 44 percent increase over the previous year.
Health officials say the public needs to realize that a poorly maintained pool or spa poses health risks.
"When we all jump into a swimming pool, it's like we all are jumping into a bathtub together," said Michele Hlavsa, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. "You should know how well your pool is run."
About one of every nine inspections in Broward and Palm Beach counties in 2007 resulted in a closure, according to state health inspections reviewed by the Sun Sentinel. The vast majority were in apartment complexes or community pools controlled by homeowner associations.
Inspectors found pools filled with algae and tadpoles. Callers to county health departments complained about maggots and feces in the water.
Even some pools that appear to be clean can harbor invisible pathogens that cause gastrointestinal problems. Cryptosporidium, a parasite increasingly responsible for waterborne outbreaks, is resistant to chlorine.
Inspectors closed some pools because they had no chlorine or disinfectant, or had poor water quality and broken circulation equipment. Without these things, the water can become a breeding ground for germs that can cause what health officials call "recreational water illnesses" - severe diarrhea, respiratory problems and skin, eye and ear infections.
A federal report released last month found more recreational water-related outbreaks - incidents involving multiple people - had been reported to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005 and 2006 than in any other two-year period. Florida had the third highest number of cases, with 233, including one death. That case involved an 82-year-old woman who health workers think contracted Legionnaire's disease through the indoor spa at a Daytona Beach Shores hotel.
State records show Florida had 41 suspected or confirmed outbreaks, with a total of 607 cases over the past 10 years, including six people who got sick swimming in a Palm Beach County public bathing area last year. About three-fourths of the people probably were infected in pools, spas or in water features like interactive fountains. Investigators think bacteria, viruses and parasites were responsible for most of these cases.
Pool maintenance has become an increasing concern for federal health officials, as recreational water illnesses have climbed over the past two years. And they think the numbers are underreported, as many cases are attributed to food-borne illnesses with similar symptoms.
Some public health advocates support a tactic that some states are trying with the restaurant industry: requiring pools and spas to post their most recent inspection reports. Mandated pool inspection postings have been controversial, however, and no states require it now.
State law requires all public pools - anything that's not at a private, single-family house or a complex with fewer than five living units - to have permits. Swimming pools, wading pools and spas all fall under this rule. They must be inspected at least twice yearly and meet state safety and cleanliness standards.
Some blame the poor maintenance on inadequately trained pool operators. Although Florida law now requires those maintaining public pools to be certified, certain entities - including condominiums with 32 units or less - are exempt.
Others have attributed the trend to the growing number of pools operated by apartment complexes or homeowner groups, which proliferated during South Florida's building boom.
Inspections in Broward have doubled to more than 12,600 annually since 1998, and inspectors are seeing a higher percentage of pools that are poorly maintained. About 28 percent of Broward pools failed inspections or received unsatisfactory marks last year; a decade ago, it was 20 percent.
Palm Beach County, with 7,785 inspections last year, has had about a 14 percent closure or unsatisfactory rate; 10 years ago, it was 7 percent.
Broward - with 4,800 public pools, the most of any county in the state - also has a many older pools that require more maintenance.
Some of the pools racking up the most closures had veered in and out of compliance for years. Pools in 76 South Florida apartment complexes, communities and hotels were shut down 10 times or more since 1995. Closures usually were for safety or health code violations, although pools shut down for repairs also are coded as closed. The Resort at Pembroke Pines, a 1,520-unit rental apartment community with eight spa and pool permits, had 86 mandatory and voluntary closures in 13 years, the most for any South Florida facility. The complex currently is being renovated.
Torri Gillette, general manager of the complex, could not be reached for comment, despite five phone messages left with her office.
The Florida Department of Health has the power to fine those who won't comply. Yet it doesn't happen often, in part because inspectors empowered to close pools don't have the legal authority to write fine-carrying citations.
Bob Vincent, assistant bureau chief with the state's Bureau of Water Programs, said working directly with the owners to address problems_or close pools_is more effective than fines. Robert Cummings, the person in charge of Palm Beach County's public pools program, says he does not remember any owners in his jurisdiction being fined in his 22 years with the swimming pool program.
In Broward County, however, 27 pool owners have been fined within the past two years.
Officials levied a $1,688 penalty in 2005 against the Peaceful Dove Inn, a small hotel in Fort Lauderdale, after the inn's pool failed two inspections in less than year. Co-owner Zahra Bahrami said the pool, closed again this year for debris in the water and a broken main drain, currently was open and clean.
___
© 2008, Sun Sentinel.
Visit the Sun Sentinel on the World Wide Web at http://www.SunSentinel.com
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
"When we all jump into a swimming pool, it's like we all are jumping into a bathtub together," said Michele Hlavsa, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. "You should know how well your pool is run."
About one of every nine inspections in Broward and Palm Beach counties in 2007 resulted in a closure, according to state health inspections reviewed by the Sun Sentinel. The vast majority were in apartment complexes or community pools controlled by homeowner associations.
Inspectors found pools filled with algae and tadpoles. Callers to county health departments complained about maggots and feces in the water.
Even some pools that appear to be clean can harbor invisible pathogens that cause gastrointestinal problems. Cryptosporidium, a parasite increasingly responsible for waterborne outbreaks, is resistant to chlorine.
Inspectors closed some pools because they had no chlorine or disinfectant, or had poor water quality and broken circulation equipment. Without these things, the water can become a breeding ground for germs that can cause what health officials call "recreational water illnesses" - severe diarrhea, respiratory problems and skin, eye and ear infections.
A federal report released last month found more recreational water-related outbreaks - incidents involving multiple people - had been reported to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005 and 2006 than in any other two-year period. Florida had the third highest number of cases, with 233, including one death. That case involved an 82-year-old woman who health workers think contracted Legionnaire's disease through the indoor spa at a Daytona Beach Shores hotel.
State records show Florida had 41 suspected or confirmed outbreaks, with a total of 607 cases over the past 10 years, including six people who got sick swimming in a Palm Beach County public bathing area last year. About three-fourths of the people probably were infected in pools, spas or in water features like interactive fountains. Investigators think bacteria, viruses and parasites were responsible for most of these cases.
Pool maintenance has become an increasing concern for federal health officials, as recreational water illnesses have climbed over the past two years. And they think the numbers are underreported, as many cases are attributed to food-borne illnesses with similar symptoms.
Some public health advocates support a tactic that some states are trying with the restaurant industry: requiring pools and spas to post their most recent inspection reports. Mandated pool inspection postings have been controversial, however, and no states require it now.
State law requires all public pools - anything that's not at a private, single-family house or a complex with fewer than five living units - to have permits. Swimming pools, wading pools and spas all fall under this rule. They must be inspected at least twice yearly and meet state safety and cleanliness standards.
Some blame the poor maintenance on inadequately trained pool operators. Although Florida law now requires those maintaining public pools to be certified, certain entities - including condominiums with 32 units or less - are exempt.
Others have attributed the trend to the growing number of pools operated by apartment complexes or homeowner groups, which proliferated during South Florida's building boom.
Inspections in Broward have doubled to more than 12,600 annually since 1998, and inspectors are seeing a higher percentage of pools that are poorly maintained. About 28 percent of Broward pools failed inspections or received unsatisfactory marks last year; a decade ago, it was 20 percent.
Palm Beach County, with 7,785 inspections last year, has had about a 14 percent closure or unsatisfactory rate; 10 years ago, it was 7 percent.
Some of the pools racking up the most closures had veered in and out of compliance for years. Pools in 76 South Florida apartment complexes, communities and hotels were shut down 10 times or more since 1995. Closures usually were for safety or health code violations, although pools shut down for repairs also are coded as closed. The Resort at Pembroke Pines, a 1,520-unit rental apartment community with eight spa and pool permits, had 86 mandatory and voluntary closures in 13 years, the most for any South Florida facility. The complex currently is being renovated.
Torri Gillette, general manager of the complex, could not be reached for comment, despite five phone messages left with her office.
The Florida Department of Health has the power to fine those who won't comply. Yet it doesn't happen often, in part because inspectors empowered to close pools don't have the legal authority to write fine-carrying citations.
Bob Vincent, assistant bureau chief with the state's Bureau of Water Programs, said working directly with the owners to address problems_or close pools_is more effective than fines. Robert Cummings, the person in charge of Palm Beach County's public pools program, says he does not remember any owners in his jurisdiction being fined in his 22 years with the swimming pool program.
In Broward County, however, 27 pool owners have been fined within the past two years.
Officials levied a $1,688 penalty in 2005 against the Peaceful Dove Inn, a small hotel in Fort Lauderdale, after the inn's pool failed two inspections in less than year. Co-owner Zahra Bahrami said the pool, closed again this year for debris in the water and a broken main drain, currently was open and clean.
___
© 2008, Sun Sentinel.
Visit the Sun Sentinel on the World Wide Web at http://www.SunSentinel.com
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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