frequent pool closings?

[Anonymous]

The pool I belong to in NW DC seems to close a time a couple of times a month for hours at a time after a patron "becomes ill in the pool." I'm assuming we're talking about a kid pooping or throwing up in the pool. Apparently, there's a 6-hour filtering cycle the pool has to go through before it's safe to use again. Does this happen at anyone else's pool? While I'm glad, obviously, that our pool is being careful about keeping the pool clean, it seems strange to me that this would happen so often. Just curious whether this seems normal or excessive....

[Anonymous]

I believe in FFx Co. this kind of situation has to be reported to the county's dept. of health.

It's only happened once at our pool this summer...so far.

[Anonymous]

I was a lifeguard from age 16-24. I hate to tell you this, but this is the biggest scam perpetrated by pool staff. Yes, *technically* you could make a case to close the pool for that long if a child pooped or barfed. But it is perfectly safe after about 30 minutes with the amount of chorline in the water.

We had friends at another pool who used to rattle sheet metal behind the pump shed to simulate thunder and empty the pool.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I have to say, twice a month sounds a bit excessive. I suspect pool staff wants an easy day.

I'd talk to the pool manager, or perhaps the director (if its a private pool).

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the responses. It is a private pool, but it's in DC, and my sense is that the city likes to crack down on any health code infraction. So it may not be laziness. That said, I'll ask the pool manager about it. Thanks.