Karratha pool expert calls for health check
Swimming pool expert Ernest Petersen of Karratha is calling for a ‘spring-clean’ of local backyard pools after a study found 86 per cent of Australian pools are unhealthy.
The study, which analysed over 1500 PoolWerx customer pool water samples, found an alarming lack of maintenance over the winter months had left most Aussie pools with unsafe pH or chlorine levels.
Mr Petersen said pools left dormant during winter experienced a build-up of nasty bacteria, which could have drastic health consequences for swimmers.
“The fact that only 14 per cent of backyard pools across the country are “swimmable” at the end of winter really emphasises the need for pool owners to be vigilant with their servicing over the cooler months,” he said.
Mr Petersen said many pool owners might believe their pool is healthy due to water clarity.
“Your pool may look clean and crystal clear but if it hasn’t been maintained with the correct chemicals regularly over winter the chlorine content will be low and there will be ‘bugs’ lurking in the water,” he said.
“A clean pool isn’t necessarily a healthy pool, in fact it can be a very dangerous one.”
Twenty-three per cent of pool water tests indicated unhealthily low levels of chlorine and 36 per cent indicated extremely high pH levels.
“The variety of bacteria and algae that can breed in these conditions can present serious health risks for swimmers including diarrhoea, eye and ear infections as well as skin irritations,” he said.
Mr Petersen recommended pool owners keep a detailed schedule of how often to test and maintain pool water or call a professional to ensure their pool is safe, healthy and clean for the busy summer period.
“While there are over two million residential pools in Australia many people have no idea which chemicals to use, in what quantities or how often,” he said.
“That’s why we’re calling on pool owners to talk to a professional this swimming season.”
Mr Petersen also called for the Karratha community to check the safety of their pool environments.
“Pool gates need to be checked to ensure the latch is still in working order, any gaps in or under the fence should be secured and objects that could be used to climb over the fence must be removed,” he said.
“We want to start the swimming season with healthy pools in risk-free and secure environments.”
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