Zhang Yu JeniZhang13@163.com A TOTAL of 26 out of 468 swimming pools in Shenzhen were not up to standards during a recent water quality inspection, the city’s health commission said Tuesday. Six indexes – free residual chlorine, turbidity, urea, pH value, total bacterial count and coliform count – were tested to determine the water quality in the swimming pools. A total of 442 pools passed the tests, with a qualifying rate of 94.44 percent. Among the 26 pools that flunked the tests, two are located in Luohu District, 10 in Nanshan District, six in Bao’an District, three in Longgang District, four in Guangming District and one in Dapeng New Area. The city’s health supervisory department has ordered the pools’ operators to take action to make improvements. A follow-up spot check will be conducted by the department. The swimming pools that fell short of sanitation standards during this inspection round mainly failed the tests for urea, free residual chlorine, total bacterial count and pH value. These unclean, improperly managed swimming pools are mostly located in gyms, residential compounds and hotels. Urea in swimming pools mainly comes from human secretions such as sweat, urine and fecal matter. It is a key indicator reflecting the freshness of pool water and can be controlled by replenishing the water every day. Free residual chlorine mainly reflects the continuous disinfection ability of active disinfectant substances in pool water. Total bacterial count indicates the disinfection efficacy of swimming pool water, while the normal range for pH in a swimming pool is 7.0-7.8, which ensures disinfectant activity in pool water. The city’s health authority reminds citizens they should cooperate with pool operators’ management when entering the swimming facilities, undergo a body temperature check and present their health code. Before entering a swimming pool, swimmers must always take a shower before swimming, taking a foot bath and practice proper hygiene. Citizens are also advised to pay attention to whether the swimming pool has a valid hygiene permit and water quality test report before swimming. | 