How to Handle Pool "Potty" Accidents
Most pool owners pride themselves on keeping their pools clean and sparkling. However, accidents can and do happen, and it’s important to handle them correctly. This is especially true with “potty” related accidents. Feces in the water has the potential to make others seriously ill, which is why you must take immediate steps if fecal matter enters your pool.
Stop Swimming
The first step after an accident should be obvious, but get everyone out of the pool immediately. The sooner people stop swimming after the incident, the better. If the fecal matter went unnoticed for a while, anyone who has used the pool recently should be monitored for signs of illness, such as diarrhea.
Remove and Rehabilitate
Once everyone is out of the pool, your next step is to remove as much of the fecal matter as possible. This is easier when the fecal matter is solid and more difficult when it is watery. Either way, avoid using your pool vacuum. Instead, use a net or a bucket that you don’t mind disposing of or properly sanitizing afterwards.
After the fecal matter has been removed, you’ll want to fight any germs that may have been introduced with the proper chemicals. For most residential pools, raising the free chlorine concentration to 2 ppm (parts per million) and keeping the pH at or below 7.5 for half an hour should properly clean and protect the water. When in doubt, though, you can buy a test kit or have your water professionally tested to ensure it is safe for swimmers.
Prevention is Key
While it’s possible to recover from an accident in your pool, avoiding one is even better. Do not let anyone who is ill, particularly if they’ve experienced diarrhea, in the pool or pool area. In fact, ill people should ideally stay out of the pool for two weeks after their symptoms subside. Additionally, be especially careful when allowing children in the pool area. Encourage frequent trips to the bathroom, and use swim diapers when necessary.
Hopefully, you will never experience a “potty problem” with your pool. But, if you do, these tips can save you a lot of worry and risk!