Fecal Accidents in Public Water Facilities

Fecal matter has been proven to be a source of gastrointestinal disease organisms such as Pseudomonas, Hepatitis, Giardia, Legionella, Staphylococci, Cryptosporidium and Shigellosis.  Blood borne diseases such as HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B are not transmitted through pool water since these organisms cannot survive outside the human host.  Prevention of fecal accidents can limit the number of health related Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI's). 

Procedures for prevention and procedures for fecal accidents are available to download and print in Adobe PDF format.

Purpose of the Fecal Accident Policy

The purpose of these procedures is to prevent the transfer of water-borne diseases such as Pseudomanas, Hepatitis, Giardia, Legionella, Staphylococci, Cryptosporidium, or Shigellosis.  These procedures are recommended to reduce the potential for transfer of infections in all pools, including spas.

Solid Stool Procedures

1. Direct everyone to leave the pool. If you have multiple pools that use the same filter—all pools will have to be shut down. Do not allow anyone to enter the contaminated pool(s) until all decontamination procedures are completed.

2. Remove as much of the fecal material as possible using a net or scoop and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. Clean and disinfect the net or scoop (e.g., after cleaning, leave the net or scoop immersed in the pool during disinfection). VACUUMING STOOL FROM THE POOL IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

3. Raise the chlorine to 2 ppm (if less than 2 ppm), and ensure the pH is between 7.2 - 7.5. This chlorine concentration was selected to keep the pool closure time to approximately 30 minutes. Other concentrations or closure times can be used as long as the CT inactivation value is kept constant.

4. Maintain the chlorine concentration at 2.0 ppm, pH 7.2 - 7.5, for at least 25 minutes before reopening the pool. State or local regulators may require higher chlorine levels in the presence of chlorine stabilizers such as chlorinated isocyanurates. Ensure that the filtration system is operating while the pool reaches and maintains the proper free available chlorine concentration during the disinfection process.

5. Establish a fecal accident log. Document each fecal accident by recording date and time of the event, note whether formed stool or diarrhea, and note the chlorine levels at the time or observation of the event. Before reopening the pool, record the pH, the procedures followed in response to the fecal accident (including the process used to increase chlorine levels if necessary), and the contact time.

A solid formed stool, discovered and removed quickly after the accident, has little time to shed significant numbers of disease producing organisms into the pool water. When the fecal material has the opportunity to remain in the pool for an extended period of time, the material will be eroded, dispersed throughout the pool and will lodge in the filter media where it will continue to shed organisms. To assure the greatest level of protection for the bather, incidents of this type should be handled as though the accident was nonsolid. The pool should be closed and the nonsolid stool procedures followed.

Nonsolid Stool Procedures

1. Direct everyone to leave the pool. If you have multiple pools that use the same filter—all pools will have to be shut down. Do not allow anyone to enter the contaminated pool(s) until all decontamination procedures are completed.

2. Remove as much of the fecal material as possible using a net or scoop and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. Clean and disinfect the net or scoop (e.g., after cleaning, leave the net or scoop immersed in the pool during disinfection). VACUUMING STOOL FROM THE POOL IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

3. Raise the free available chlorine concentration to 20 ppm ((mg/L) and maintain the pH between 7.2 and 7.5. This chlorine and pH level should be sufficient to inactivate Cryptosporidium and should be maintained for at least 8 hours, equivalent to a CT inactivation value of 9600.

4. Ensure that the filtration system is operating while the pool reaches and maintains the proper chlorine level during disinfection. If necessary, consult an aquatics professional to determine and identify the feasibility, practical methods, and safety considerations before attempting the hyperchlorination of any pool.

5. Backwash the filter thoroughly after reaching the CT value. Be sure the effluent is discharged directly to waste and in accordance with state or local regulations. Do not return the backwash through the filter. Where appropriate, replace the filter media.

6. Swimmers may be allowed back into the pool after the required CT value has been achieved and the chlorine level has been returned to the normal operating range allowed by the state or local regulatory authority.

7. Establish a fecal accident log. Document each fecal accident by recording date and time of the event, note whether formed stool or diarrhea, and note the chlorine levels at the time or observation of the event. Before reopening the pool, record the pH, the procedures followed in response to the fecal accident (including the process used to increase chlorine levels if necessary), and the contact time