Recent studies from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that bacterial contamination in the recreational waters of the US is becoming a serious problem.
E. coli contamination comes from the presence of fecal matter in water. At public pools and water parks, the source of the bacteria is usually human feces. E. coli found in natural bodies of water can come from animals and is either deposited directly in the water or washed into it through irrigation or rainwater, sewer systems, runoff or other water flows.
Research has shown that E. coli’s presence in the environment rises during the summer months. Researchers believe that this is the result of increased shedding of the bacteria from animals in areas with higher average rainfall, and then the rainwater washes fecal matter into the surrounding water sources.
Swimmers can take steps to protect themselves and others from the bacteria when swimming in public facilities. The CDC suggests not swallowing swimming water, not swimming while you have diarrhea, showering with soap before swimming in public pools and washing hands after using the bathroom before returning to the pool and consistently checking the cleanliness of small children in pool areas.
As a Los Angeles personal injury attorney, I’m glad that the CDC and EPA are addressing these public health issues and I hope that spreading this information will decrease the risk our readers face. If you’ve fallen ill after being exposed to a contaminated public water source, it may be in your best interests to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.