NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — Just how clean is the pool you're swimming in this summer? Environmentalists with the Metro Public Health Department have been busy inspecting 900 public pools in the metro.
It's summertime in the city and everyone is looking for ways to cool off; so the pool is a hot spot, but, it can also be a cesspool for several bacteria. Tommy Eubanks has inspected more than 70 swimming pools this year.
"There are several diseases that you can get from a swimming pool, including E. coli, shigella, pseudomonas," said Eubanks.
These are diseases that Eubanks says he wants to prevent. So far this year, he has closed about seven swimming pools including the one at the Studio Apartments in Melrose.
"It could be anything from having zero chlorine or glass inside the pool enclosure or the main drain grate being broken or not secure," said Eubanks.
Checking chlorine levels is not the only thing inspectors look for said Eubanks.
"We always test the water chemistry, make sure that's good, we look at the life saving equipment, the doors, the gates," Eubanks said.
If you're not sure if the public pool you're swimming in is safe, just look for the inspection certificate that should always be visible with the dates the pool was last checked. A passing score is a 70 or above. A business or company has 10 days to fix the problem that caused a failing score.
The health department doesn't tell the businesses when inspectors plan to show up.
