Recreational Water Quality Assessment of Some Selected Swimming Pools in the Asuogyaman District, Ghana

Abstract

The aim of this study seeks to assess the quality of recreational waters in selected swimming pools in the Asuogyaman district in the Eastern Region, Ghana. Samples from three different swimming facilities, coded as VH, RS and SH were collected during the months of March 2018 through to August, 2018 and analyzed in the laboratory employing standard methods for physicochemical properties and microbiological load. Isolates of coliforms were identified by API20E. Mean residual chlorine was significantly higher in the VH pool (1.357±1.09, P<0.001) than the pools at SH and RS. The mornings recorded significantly higher mean turbidity values in all the pools (VH: 2.385±0.8, P<0.001; SH: 3.392±0.9, P=0.010; RS: 2.77±1.0, P=0.007). Coliforms were isolated in the morning at VH pool (1.375±3.3) and RS pool (0.583±1.38) and evening at the SH pool (64.00±66.35) even though they were within acceptable limits. With regards to the sampled place, the middle part had the most coliforms isolated with SH pool having the highest (49.46±59.72) isolates. Although there was no significant (P=0.05) association between total coliforms and the physicochemical parameters at the SH and RS pool, turbidity was associated directly with temperature and total dissolved solids (TDS), and indirectly with pH. Continued physicochemical and microbiological analysis of these pools will give an objective insight into pool hygiene and help to prevent infection outbreaks among pool users.