Why you might want to jump out of that pool

Study finds plenty of bodily fluids in water

Canadian researchers studying urine levels in swimming pools have discovered just how high the levels are, and the results are not pretty, according to an article published on Wednesday.

Researchers at the University of Alberta developed a test to measure the amount of urine and took more than 250 samples from 31 pools and hot tubs in two Canadian cities.

Urine traces

The results showed one 830,000-litre (220,000-gallon) pool, which is about one-third of an Olympic-sized pool, had 75 litres of urine while another smaller pool had 30 litres.

Humans introduce “a variety of chemicals” into recreational waters through bodily fluids, and the separate news of an overnight water colour change in the 2016 Rio Olympic pools highlight the need to monitor water quality, according to the study, published in the journal

Although urine itself is sterile, its presence in swimming pools is a public health concern because urine can mix with pool chemicals to harm swimmers’ health, according to the study.

When asked about the study, the Alberta Health provincial ministry said it will be taking a “close look” at it.

“Under the Public Health Act, the ministry has a regulation that provides standards,” spokesperson Tim Kulak said in an email. “Pools that don’t meet the standards may be closed for remediation.”

According to the study, researchers measured for the substance acesulfame-K (ACE), an artificial sweetener that passes through the body completely and is “an ideal urinary marker.”