Resumen

COLMENARES, María Cristina; CORREIA DE SOTO, Angelina  y  DE SOUSA, Cristina. Evaluation of physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of some swimming pools in Carabobo state, Venezuela. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2008, vol.48, n.1, pp.73-82. ISSN 1690-4648.

The main objective of this investigation was to determine the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total and fecal coliforms) as well as the levels of residual chlorine and pH in some swimming pools of three municipalities of the Carabobo state in order to propose some control levels according to the initial findings. First of all, a diagnosis was made of the swimming pool’s conditions using the following criteria: disinfection system, filtration system, using rules, water renovation system and amount of users. Then, the physicochemical characteristics were determined using the norm COVENIN 2614:1994 and the normalized methods for treatment of fresh and waste water. The bacteriological evaluation was determined by the method of filtration membranes. The results showed that the swimming pools classified as suitable for the users were as follows: one in the municipality of Valencia, three in the municipality of San Diego and one in the municipality of Naguanagua. Additionally, it was found that seven swimming pools in the municipality of Valencia and one in the municipality of Naguanagua were classified as not suitable. The behavior of swimming pools users was also investigated and it was found that the use of lotions and skin creams was the most common factor of contamination. Finally, a sanitation control system was proposed.

Palabras clave : swimming pools; sweemming pool sanitation; coliforms; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; microbiology.