Active IQ Level 2 Award in Pool Operations (sample manual)

Pool water pollution
Section 3
Section 3: Pool water pollution
It is important that the pool operator understands the causes of pool water pollution and contamination, and the
role that the plant plays in dealing with or removing them. The causes of pool water pollution can be separated into
three categories:
• Physical pollutants
• Chemical pollutants
• Biological pollutants
The common denominator for all these forms of pollution is the bathers themselves.
Pollution added by bathers
Bathers introduce all three types of pollution to the pool water: physical, chemical and biological. Each day, an
adult produces 1 litre of sweat, 1 billion skin fl akes and 38g of grease (SPW). It is also estimated that each bather
releases approximately 30ml of urine and 200mg of urea in a typical swim session. When a bather is exercising,
they also release a signifi cant amount of sweat; this increases in line with pool water temperature.
In addition, the human body carries numerous chemicals in the form of cosmetics, deodorants, powders, creams,
lotions, oils, etc, all of which add further pollution to the water.
Outdoor pools
Outdoor pools, especially those found in warm climates, experience signifi cant problems caused by suntan lotion
and sweat added by the bathers, as well as environmental pollution from sand, leaves, grass, soil, etc.
Types of pollution
The types of pollution can be further classifi ed as:
• Surface pollution
• Dissolved pollution
• Suspended pollution
• Insoluble pollution
They can be found in various places in the pool itself (as illustrated in fi gure 3.1).
Dissolved pollution
Surface pollution
The principles and practice of pool water treatment and testing
Suspended pollution
Insoluble pollution
Figure 3.1 Pollution distribution
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