Pool bug outbreak fuels call for tough water rules

Published on Friday 21 December 2007 21:23

STRICT new water quality regulations are needed for public swimming pools, according to a long-awaited report into a serious outbreak of a stomach bug at a council-owned facility.

A total of 50 suspected cases of cryptosporidiosis linked to the Eastwood Pool in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, were reported to health officials in September and October 2003.

The illness is caused by the cryptosporidium parasite, which can survive for long periods in water. It can lead to vomiting, fever, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

Experts found the outbreak spread because of a "multi-factorial" failure of the treatment plant at the pool, which is run by East Renfrewshire Council.

The report also pointed out that swimming pools throughout Britain are currently only subject to guidelines issued by the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group.

The authors recommend that new swimming pool and spa regulations – enforceable under updated health and safety legislation – should be established in keeping with other European countries.

The report said: "Evidence from this outbreak investigation strongly suggests that a voluntary set of guidelines is not enough to ensure adequate control of pool water quality."

Its authors said the "persistent contamination" of the pool resulted from the failure of the treatment plant

The filters at the pool were found to be not fit for purpose and had not been inspected since a refurbishment took place in 2000, a clear breach of the existing guidelines.