Peeing in the pool is a highly unpleasant act. Besides making the water dirty, when urine comes into contact with chlorine, it forms harmful substances to health, did you know that? So, if you’re in a pinch, don’t relieve yourself in the pool. This only brings harm to the health of friends, family, and other people in the same environment as you.

To better understand this issue, check out everything you need to know about the topic below! This way, you can educate others not to pee in the pool.

Can you pee in the pool?

No! Peeing in the pool is not polite and extremely unhygienic. Firstly, urine harms the water quality. Although chlorine is responsible for killing bacteria, by itself, the product cannot eliminate all microorganisms.

Thus, the pool’s pH becomes unbalanced, promoting the proliferation of bacteria and the subsequent greenish tint of the water. And we don’t want that, after all, no one deserves a dirty pool!

Peeing in the Pool Causes Health Problems

Apart from making the water cloudy, the contact between urine and chlorine forms two substances: trichloramine and cyanogen chloride. To give you an idea of their seriousness, the first one can induce DNA mutations, while the second was used as a toxic gas during World War I.

Although they do not contaminate the water in large quantities, they are still harmful to health. They are particularly harmful to children and sensitive individuals with low immunity.

Some quite common clinical signs after contact with urinated water include:

• Irritation in the eyes, skin, and throat.
• Respiratory problems.
• Stye.
• Diarrhea.
• Infectious conjunctivitis.

In addition to these, peeing in the pool can cause viral diseases, epidemics caused by bacteria, and even neurological problems (in more severe cases).

How to detect urine in the pool?

You may have seen ads where the pool water turns blue after someone pees in it. But that’s a myth! There is no product to identify urine in the pool. Therefore, it’s impossible to detect pee in the water.

In reality, in such cases, the water has a stronger odor since chlorine kicks in to kill bacteria. However, this smell is imperceptible to laypeople. Only experts can detect this subtle change. So, if someone claims to have bought or is selling some urine reagent for the pool, don’t trust it. It’s a trap!

How to Avoid Problems Related to Peeing in the Pool

It may seem obvious, but it’s important to emphasize: don’t pee in the pool! If you’re really desperate, find a restroom to keep everyone’s health in check. It’s also crucial to instruct and assist children to do the same.

1. Take showers before and after entering the pool

Taking showers before and after the pool is essential because it prevents the transmission and contamination by bacteria. This is because it’s not just pee that affects water quality. Sweat, lotions, repellents, makeup, and even rainwater interact with chlorine and make the water dirty.

1. Keep an eye on the parameters

If not treated properly, the water becomes cloudy and green. Therefore, it’s extremely important to clean the pool regularly and perform tests to ensure that all parameters are balanced, and the water is free from harmful bacteria and microorganisms.

1. Don’t swim when sick

It’s paramount to avoid using the pool when you’re sick. Besides preventing the transmission of your health issue to others, an organism with low immunity is more susceptible to contamination. Those suffering from respiratory conditions like asthma, for example, can worsen their own condition.

How to Deal with the Problem?

Regularly clean the pool with quality products, don’t forget processes like checking the pH level, chlorine level, cleaning the filter, brushing the walls, etc. Increasing the chlorine level “supposedly” kills bacteria; however, there’s an ideal dosage of the product according to the amount of water.

Let’s assume that during the day, dozens of people swam in the club’s pool. Many entered sweaty, with makeup, body creams, skin issues, and several peed in it. In the end, everyone leaves residues in the water.

After a week, the pool will have become a source of chloramine, but only one or two people will develop side effects due to contact. That’s why little importance is given to the problem. However, we should be aware and avoid using the facility when sick.

One thing we’re sure of: no one wants to swim in suspicious waters. We’ve seen how the habit of peeing in the pool can be harmful. Not being aware of the risks that uric acid produces when interacting with chlorine is the main reason this happens, although lack of hygiene is a factor to consider.

Therefore, awareness is the first and perhaps the most important step in preserving water quality. By maintaining pool hygiene, you prevent potential health problems.