Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water Home

Pools & Hot Tubs

Photo of a senior woman standing by the pool

Every year, recreational water venues (for example, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans) receive more than 360 million visits from individuals around the country (1). This makes swimming the third most popular recreational activity in the United States and the most popular recreational activity for children (1). The benefits of water-based exercise are numerous, but to truly enjoy a safe and healthy swimming experience it is important for swimmers and hot tub users to know the steps they should take to protect themselves and others from potential health risks.

Aquatics professionals have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy swimming environment for their patrons. Maintaining good water quality requires pool operators and staff to have specific skills (which can be gained through training, education, and certification courses), including:

An understanding of appropriate aquatics facility design and operation
Training in proper disinfection (using pH and chlorine) and remediation methods for use after water and surface contamination

U.S. Census Bureau. 2009 Statistical Abstract of the United States. Recreation and leisure activities: participation in selected sports activities 2006. Available at http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/09s1209.pdf [PDF - 454 kb]