Memorial Day weekend is the traditional beginning of summer. Outdoor pools are opening up, school is out, the sun is hot, the drinks are cool and the hot dogs are on the grill.
Whether you are a toe-dipper who inches in bit-by-bit or a cannon-baller, when you take that first dip this summer you might wonder how clean and safe, really, is this pool?
Keeping a pool not just clear of dirt, but free of all kinds of pathogens, parasites and paramecia takes constant care. Keeping the chemicals at levels that kill disease, but are safe to swim in requires a difficult balance that can easily tip. Also, ensuring that the ladders and deck around the pool are safe, and that safety equipment is present and in good condition, can prevent injury and drowning.
As part of Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, the Center for Disease Control released a report on pools. Public pools and waterparks are a huge health concern, as swimming is the third-most popular sport or exercise activity in the U.S.with 314 million visits each year. After reviewing data from more than 80,000 public pool inspections in five states the study found that almost 80 percent found some sort of health or safety violation.
Thousands of public pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds close each year because of serious violations, reports the CDC on its site. One in eight inspections caused an immediate closure, while kiddie pools were the worst- with one in five inspections leading to a closure.
The most common violations reported were related to improper pH (15 percent), safety equipment (13 percent), and disinfectant concentration (12 percent).
Inspections
“Environmental health practitioners, or public health inspectors, play a very important role in protecting public health,” said Michele Hlavsa, R.N., M.P.H., chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. “However, almost one third of local health departments do not regulate, inspect, or license public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds. We should all check for inspection results online or on site before using public pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds and do our own inspection before getting into the water.”
Williamson County is in the two-thirds that performs inspections, with the county office of the Tennessee Department of Health directing monthly inspections of operating pools.
Pool inspections work similarly to restaurant inspections, with 100 being the highest score. Pools are scored on 34 criteria– 20 of which are considered critical. A critical violation must be fixed within 10 days or the pool will be shut down. Any violation that poses an “imminent health hazard” must be fixed, or the pool closed, immediately.
Scores
This list covers pools that are indoor and/or open year round. Next week, we will list the latest available scores for local outdoor pools.
All scores are from the Tennessee Department of Health.
| Pool | Score |
|---|---|
| Courtyard by Marriott whirlpool, 2001 Meridian Blvd., Franklin, | 100 |
| Courtyard by Marriott pool, 2001 Meridian Blvd. Franklin | 98 |
| Longview indoor pool, 2909 Commonwealth Drive, Spring Hill | 99 |
| Country Inn & Suites pool, 7120 S. Springs Drive, Franklin | 97 |
| Family YMCA lap pool, 501 S. Royal Oaks Blvd., Franklin | 99 |
| Franklin Family YMCA lap pool, 501 S. Royal Oaks Blvd., Franklin, Score: 99. | 99 |
| Franklin Family YMCA teaching pool, 501 S. Royal Oaks Blvd., Franklin | 99 |
| Franklin-Williamson County Rec. indoor, 1120 Hillsboro Road, Franklin | 99 |
| Drury Plaza Hotel whirlpool, 1874 McEwen Drive, Franklin | 99 |
| Drury Plaza Hotel pool, 1874 McEwen Drive, Franklin | 99 |
| Embassy Suites whirlpool, 820 Crescent Centre Drive, Franklin | 100 |
| Franklin Marriott pool, 700 Cool Springs Blvd. | 100 |
| Franklin Marriott whirlpool, 700 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin. | 100 |
| Embassy Suites pool, 820 Crescent Centre Drive, Franklin | 100 |
| Prairie Life Fitness indoor pool, 300 Shingle Way, Franklin | 100 |
| Maryland Farms women’s spa, 5101 Maryland Way, Brentwood | 100 |
| Brentwood YMCA men’s spa, 8207 Concord Road, Brentwood | 98 |
| Carrington Hills pool, 3750 Carothers Parkway, Franklin | 98 |
| River Oaks whirlpool, 1000 Champions Circle, Franklin | 98 |
| River Oaks pool, 1000 Champions Circle, Franklin | 98 |
See Also:
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