Analysis of Chemical and Microbial Contents of Public Swimming Pools’ Water in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study assessed the chemical and microbial contents in the water of public swimming pools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 16 public pools were selected through probability sampling from the 32 pools that existed in the five urban areas of Akwa Ibom State. Water samples were collected from the sampled pools and tested in the laboratory for chemical and microbial contents. Results showed that the chemical contents of most pools in the study area were less than the values recommended for effective disinfection of the pools. Average free chlorine ranged from 0.05 mg/L to 1.15 mg/L <2 mg/L to 4 mg/L recommended, except for sites L and M that had 2.31 mg/L and 2.42 mg/L. Total bromine ranged from 1.3 mg/L to 3.2 mg/L <4 mg/L to 6 mg/L except for sites L and M with 5.4 mg/L and 4.4 mg/L, respectively. Microbial contents of most swimming pools in the study area were higher than permissible values for swimming pools. Mean heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 2.8×104 - 8.1×104 Cfu/ml >200 Cfu/ml permissible, except for pools L and M, with 1.8×102 Cfu/ml and 1.7×102 Cfu/ml, respectively. Mean fecal coliform ranged from 2.0×103 Cfu/ml to 4.4×103 Cfu/ml >10 Cfu/100 ml permissible, except for pools L and M, with 0.0 Cfu/ml. It could therefore be concluded that only one out of every eight public swimming pools in Akwa Ibom State meet the minimum requirement for both chemical and microbial contents. This simply implies that most public swimming pools in the study area are not safe for users.