AusLeisure

Amid mounting concerns over the use of public space during the Coronavirus crisis, Elena Gosse, Chief Executive of AIS Water, has advised that swimmers can rest easy when it comes to concerns surrounding COVID-19 and swimming pool water.

With COVID-19 an airborne virus which is unlikely to spread through water, Gosse emphasised that providing pool water is properly disinfected, swimming remains safe.

Gosse echoed the advice from the Queensland Department of Health, where a spokesperson confirmed that “COVID-19 is very unlikely to be transmitted through swimming pool water where adequate chlorine levels are maintained.”

Gosse’s Brisbane-based company designs and manufactures inline water disinfection technology (chlorinators) for commercial and residential swimming pools. AIS Water’s technology has been exported to over 55 countries and operates in home swimming pools, swim schools, aquatic centres, resorts, hotels, FINA standard competition swimming pools and water parks.

AIS Water’s chlorinator brands, EcoLine and AutoChlor, produce chlorine inline via electrolysis and within the pool water meaning there is no requirement for pool owners or operators to store or handle chlorine and good water chemistry is maintained.

Gosse stated “chlorine remains the only globally recognised disinfection for swimming pool water as it removes potentially lethal, pathogenic organisms and ensures the water is safe to swim in.

“Most people are unaware that salt and freshwater pools, and even supposedly ‘chlorine free’ pools all require a chlorine residual to comply with health regulations and protect swimmers against waterborne pathogens.

Gosse warned residential and commercial pool owners and operators to beware of “cowboys” in the water disinfection industry who mislead the public with claims that their technology reduces or even eliminates chlorine when it comes to pool water disinfection.

She added “the guidelines are very clear when it comes to chlorine and water disinfection. Chlorination is always the primary disinfection method, even with methods such as Ozone and U.V. Chlorine is required to make pool water safe, full stop.

“With the COVID-19 virus situation it’s critical for industry professionals to maintain integrity at all times and refrain from any false advertising.  Public safety is at stake.”

While COVID-19 an airborne virus, aquatic facilities should always ensure that pool staff and patrons practice good hygiene including swimmers having pre and post swim showers, engage in regular hand washing and for pool visitors following the COVID-19 recommendations provided by official health authorities.

As of 10th March, the USA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated there is no evidence the virus can survive in a properly chlorinated and filtered pool.

A statement on the CDC website advises "there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs

"Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19."

The CDC’s advisory note, Water Transmission and COVID-19, can be viewed at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

Click here to contact AIS Water via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images: AIS Water technology is installed at the Warringah Aquatic Centre (top) and AIS Systems Chief Executive Elena Gosse (below).

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