EDITORIAL: Health district’s pool rule is all wet

The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), which is responsible for protecting the public health in Clark County, Nevada, has recently implemented new rules regarding the use of public swimming pools in the area. These new regulations have sparked controversy and criticism from local residents and swimming enthusiasts, who argue that the rules are unnecessary and overly restrictive.

According to the SNHD's new rules, which took effect on May 1, 2023, public swimming pools in Clark County are required to maintain a free chlorine level of at least 3.0 parts per million (ppm) and a pH level between 7.2 and 7.8. These levels are higher than the previously recommended ranges of 1.0-3.0 ppm for free chlorine and 7.0-7.6 ppm for pH.

The SNHD states that these new rules are intended to improve water quality and reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses (RWIs) in public swimming pools. RWIs are a type of illness caused by bacteria, viruses, or chemicals in recreational water. Common symptoms of RWIs include gastrointestinal symptoms, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.

However, some critics argue that these new rules are unnecessary and may even do more harm than good. They point out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends free chlorine levels between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm for swimming pools, and that higher levels of chlorine can lead to eye and skin irritation, as well as respiratory problems for some swimmers.

Additionally, some swimming pool operators and advocacy groups argue that these new rules will increase operating costs for public swimming pools, as higher levels of chlorine require more frequent testing and maintenance. They also argue that these rules may discourage people from using public swimming pools due to concerns about irritation and discomfort.

Despite these criticisms, the SNHD maintains that these new rules are necessary to ensure the health and safety of swimmers in Clark County. They argue that the higher chlorine levels will help reduce the risk of RWIs and maintain better water quality in public swimming pools. However, they have also acknowledged that they will work with pool operators to help them adjust to these new rules and minimize any potential negative impacts on swimmers.

It remains to be seen how these new rules will be received by the public and whether they will lead to improved water quality and reduced risk of RWIs in public swimming pools in Clark County. In the meantime, swimmers are encouraged to follow good hygiene practices, such as showering before swimming and not swimming if they have diarrhea or other illnesses, to help reduce the risk of RWIs.