Do kids really pee in public pools?

by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts) Jun 4th 2007 10:02AM

Categories: Places To Go, Health & Safety

My daughter, Edan, has a new obsession. Every afternoon when I pick her up from daycare, she asks, then begs, and then demands that we "go swimming, go swimming, go swimming!" When we're actually at the pool, Edan starts a non-stop commentary for anyone within earshot, all about how completely, overwhelmingly, undeniably awesome being in the water can be. It usually goes something like: "I'm swimming! I'm swimming! I'm swimming! I'm swimming!" Etc.

I enjoy the water, but don't like being in it. However, I also love how happy it makes my child, and thus don't mind going for her sake.

But, because I'm not fond of swimming, I haven't spent this much time at public pools since I was in middle school, and I'm starting to remember some things about children's pool etiquette that make me a little worried. Namely, that they like to pee. In the water. While I'm in it.

I imagine the mind-numbingly high chlorine levels kill off all the gross stuff in pee that's dangerous to my health, but it still creeps me out. Should I really put my head under water?

Should I even be worried about this? Do kids really pee in public pools?

Comments (12)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Erinn 6-04-2007 @ 10:15AM

I am sure they do. I really try not to think about it!

Lt 6-04-2007 @ 10:33AM

In a word - Yes. :)
However, I imagine the chlorine takes care of it. We had a pool in our backyard when I was growing up, and my parents used to tell us that they had added a chemical that would turn the water purple all around us if we peed in it. To this day, I'm not sure whether or not that was true - but it worked for us. We didn't take any embarrassing chances.

Ally 6-04-2007 @ 10:30AM

Yuck factor aside, urine doesn't actually have anything in it that would "affect" one's health. It's sterile.

Nancy Toby 6-04-2007 @ 10:36AM

Ally is correct! Urine is sterile. What's the problem?

Perhaps you could have a talk with the pool maintenance team to find out how they go about treating and monitoring the water. Maybe that would set your mind at ease. Then GO SWIM!

Leian 6-04-2007 @ 11:16AM

I had to laugh - I think the question is not only do kids really pee in public pools, but maybe some of the adults too? Because I'm sure some do.

Ann Adams 6-04-2007 @ 11:56AM

Of course they do and I think Leian is right. Some adults probably do as well.

If we thought too long and hard about stuff like this, we'd never eat or drink anything.

Ethel 6-04-2007 @ 12:22PM

I'd be more concerned about their less then ideally cleansed rear ends myself.

rebecca Biernesser 6-04-2007 @ 1:16PM

I would be more concerned with how well the pool is being maintained. Esp. with a community pool. You can have a nice clear pool and still not be killing the germs/whatever esle is in it.

That being said, I know people pee in the pool (kids and adults) and I also know people do a lot more then just pee, esp adults that think they are alone....

A 6-04-2007 @ 2:47PM

Millios of liters vs 1 cup.
Yes the thought of it's pretty disgusting but unless you're right in front of someone at the time, I wouldn't worry too much.

If you want to be concerned, be concerned about the hot tubs/whirlpools. Water temps in there are much more suitable for bacteria growth.

As many suggested, maintenance is key. It all up to the education and training of the staff that operate and maintain the pool regarless whether it's public, private or community.

Cheerio!
A

Spring 6-04-2007 @ 3:01PM

We had a pool in our backyard when I was growing up, and my parents used to tell us that they had added a chemical that would turn the water purple all around us if we peed in it. To this day, I'm not sure whether or not that was true - but it worked for us. We didn't take any embarrassing chances.

Ha ha ha!

Nancy Toby 6-04-2007 @ 4:09PM

Sorry, Spring - your parents must have heard the urban legend:
http://www.snopes.com/science/poolpiss.htm

Heather 6-05-2007 @ 7:39AM

I can guarantee that they not only pee in the pool, but they poop, too. I saw it first-hand yesterday. Swimming with my 21-month-old, I heard a mom nearby say, "Uh-oh! Omygosh, omygosh!" I turned around to see a bunch of...stuff floating in the water. I practically walked on water to get my daughter and I out of there. She didn't warn anyone about it, and I feel badly that I didn't tell the lifeguard either. If I see anything like that in the future, you can bet I'll speak up.

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