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NYC Public Pools Faced Closures Due to Fecal Contamination
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Unpleasant Surprises Led to hundreds of Hours of Pool Closures Last Summer
By Anya Schmidt | NEW YORK – 2025/07/01 09:57:17
Last summer in New York City, a meaningful number of public pools experienced closures due to an unsettling issue.
According to “Vice”, the public swimming pools in New York City where shut down 203 times last year because of fecal contamination. Out of the 52 public swimming pools across the five boroughs, 44 were affected, experiencing at least one closure.
Fecal Contamination led to Frequent Pool Closures in NYC
New Yorkers collectively lost over 600 hours of swimming time because of these closures. City authorities categorize the incidents into two levels: “level 1” for solid faeces and “level 2” for diarrhea. Regardless of the level, pools are temporarily closed for cleaning.
“Chlorine alone is not enough. Only if the water is cleaned by additional filter systems, UV or ozone treatment can the resistant pathogens be eliminated.”
During the summer of 2024, there were 189 “level 1” incidents and 19 “level 2” incidents. the cleaning protocol varies based on the contamination level. A “level 2” incident requires a 24-hour closure for thorough cleaning and chlorine disinfection of the entire pool area.
For “level 1” incidents, “Vice” reports that the cleaning process involves skimming the pool with a net and adding extra chlorine for about thirty minutes before reopening it to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Safety
- Why do pools need to close when there is fecal contamination?
- Fecal matter can contain harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause illness if ingested or exposed to skin. Closing the pool allows for proper disinfection and cleaning to ensure swimmer safety.
- What are the different levels of fecal contamination?
- City authorities categorize incidents into “level 1” for solid faeces and “level 2” for diarrhea. Each level requires a different cleaning protocol.
- How can I help prevent pool closures due to contamination?
- Swimmers can help by showering before entering the pool, avoiding swimming if they have diarrhea, and taking frequent bathroom breaks.
