Recreational Water Illness (RWI) Prevention

Swimming pool (Photo credit: ZaCky ॐ)

Take action and stay healthy!

Swimming is great exercise with many health benefits, but the water you swim in can also spread germs that can make you sick and cause illnesses known as recreational water illnesses (RWIs).

The germs that cause RWIs are spread when you swallow, breathe in the mists from, or have contact with contaminated water from pools, water parks, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, and any other type of water used for recreation.

Advocacy - Recreational Water Illness (RWI) Prevention

1. Encourage pool operators to take steps known to kill germs. 

• Add ultraviolet or ozone technology to treat water or Hyperchlorinate (add additional chlorine to the pool) regularly

     2.  Educate others about RWIs and promote healthy swimming behaviors.

Action: Recreational Water Illness (RWI) Prevention

English: Olympic Pool in Munich Español: Piscina olímpica en Munich. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Check pool water yourself using test strips purchased at your local hardware or pool supply store. CDC recommends the following water quality ranges to kill germs:

• free chlorine levels at 1–3 parts per million (ppm)

• –pH 7.2–7.8

      2.  Ask the pool operator:

• Are the free chlorine and pH levels checked at least twice a day and more often when the pool is heavily used?

• What is the latest pool inspection score?

• Has the operator completed specialized training in pool operation?

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• Pool training for my PT-client today

Awareness of Recreational Water Illness

• Visit CDC’s Healthy Swimming website www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming to learn more about staying healthy.

•  Follow the Six Steps for Healthy Swimming.