S12: Recent Trends in Recreational Water Microbial Control

Recreational water enjoyment continues to grow worldwide. In the United States alone there are an estimated nine million residential swimming pools, six million residential spas, and over 300,000 commercial pools.

This presentation discusses the emerging microbial pathogens of concern to bathers using recreational water facilities. Recommended practices and antimicrobial agents used to prevent recreational water borne illness are examined. Educational campaigns to create public awareness about sanitation and hygiene and efforts to curtail outbreaks of Cryptosporidium associated with public swimming pools combined with operator training are used to reinforce chemical water treatment.