9 Facts and Safety Tips Regarding Spas and Pools

Do you know anything about illnesses contracted from the water as you swim, or how many Americans swim per year? Have you ever wondered how many Jacuzzis and/or swimming pools there are throughout America?

Perhaps we can help. We did some research, particularly on information released by the Census Bureau, APSP (Association of Pool and Spa Professionals), and the American Centers for Disease Control, a.k.a. CDC, and we came up with the debriefing below. Hopefully, this information will help you stay educated and informed, and answer anything on which you’re a bit unclear, or about which you’ve been curious.

1. What is the Exact Number of Pools Throughout the United States?

The APSP stats estimate the total number of pools in America to be in the neighborhood of about 10.5 million. These numbers are split between the number of public/community pools and private, at-home ones. There are over 300,000 pools that are open to the public, and the bulk of them (over 10 million) located in homes all throughout the country.

2. Is Swimming a Major Trend in America?

Yes. In fact, the USCB says that swimming is among the top four most popular pastime/exercise in the country. It’s therapeutic for stiff joints and injury recovery, and it’s fun for all ages.

3. How Many Children Swim Annually? How Many Adults?

Natural bodies of water draw more than 90 million U.S. citizens ages 16 and up annually. Roughly 15 percent of American citizens over the age of 18 participate in some form of swimming activity each year. Unsurprisingly, the number of children who love to swim is more than twice that number: almost 40 percent.

4. Teenagers and Children

Although adults of all ages also love swimming for various reasons, it’s most popular for teenagers and kids. It takes the number one spot of most popular just-for-fun activities for people under the age of 17.

5. What is the Exact Number of Hot Tubs in the U.S.?

Hot tubs are another popular way to get involved in water exercise and activities. Pool and Spa Marketing says that there are more than 7 million of them all across America.

6. How Many Spas Have Shut Down in the U.S.?

Spas are great places to relax and be pampered. However, more than 10 percent of them violate codes established by health and sanitization departments so terribly that they must be shut down immediately. Half of American spas violate these codes, and must be investigated further and have the violations rectified before they are allowed to continue serving the public.

7. Hazards of People Swimming with Diarrhea

It sounds gross, we know, but it should still be addressed. Over 20 percent of people in the U.S. swim when they’re suffering from irritated bowels, and they have no idea how risky that is for other swimmers. It may make you feel a little better, but even the chemicals in the pool or hot tub are not enough to kill any bacteria resulting from diarrhea, or any viruses causing the ailment. Keep the health of others in mind, and stay out of the pool until you are well again.

8. Beware the Crypto

Illnesses bred and spread in public swimming areas are increasingly prevalent. You must take great care when potentially exposing yourself to such illnesses. Among the most common illnesses is one called Crypto (a.k.a. Cryptosporidium). It has caused upwards of 90 percent of diseases and ailments related to, or mimicking, intestinal irritations and issues. More than half of the gastroenteritis cases between 2009 and 2010 were caused by this parasite. It is almost completely immune to chlorine and other chemicals used to treat swimming pools and hot tubs, and it can remain in strongly treated water for well over a week.

9. How Long Do Pool Sanitization Chemicals Take to Kill Germs in the Water?

Although there are a few germs that are resistant to pool chemicals, such as Hepatitis C and the Crypto we mentioned earlier, most are not. If you keep pools properly maintained and treated, it can eradicate most forms of bacteria in roughly a minute. Chlorine must be mixed in fresh, chemical-free water at a ratio of 1:3, and kept at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.