Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Indicators of Water Quality in Public Swimming Pools in Zahedan, Iran: A Case Study

Introduction and objectives: Swimming pool as a popular sport center is able to potentially receive some pollutants such as nasal secretions, saliva and urine and endanger the health of swimmers. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical, biological and physical quality of swimming pools in Zahedan city . Materials and Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. Totally, 81 water samples were collected from nine public swimming pools in Zahedan, Iran. Microbial and physicochemical conditions were examined according to the standard method . Results: In this research, free residual chlorine in %44.4, turbidity in %48.1, amount of pH in %80.2 and temperature in %74 samples were desirable.%25.9, %17.2, %13.5%9.8 and %6.1 of samples were contaminated to Heterotrophic bacteria, Total Coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Fecal Streptococcus, respectively . Conclusion: A significant relationship was found between microbial quality and free chlorine levels. Complete compliance of the pools to the standards was poor and only five of the pools were free of pollution by fecal coliform and P. aeruginosa, two important microbial indicators, during the sampling period. It is also important to maintain the proper level of free chlorine and pH in the swimming pools to ensure safety of the water quality.