Pool and spa operators should be aware that fecal matter (stool) or vomitus in the pool poses a potential health risk for all pool users. If contamination should occur, the following is a general guide developed for pool operators by the Washington State Department of Health.

Instruct bathers to exit the pool. Close the pool until all steps in this guideline are completed.

Determine (if possible) who contaminated the pool.

1. Go to Step 3 if all of these conditions are met:

• The stool or vomitus is intact
• easily picked up, and
• illness is not suspected.

2. Go to Step 4 if one or more of these conditions is met:

• The stool is loose
• the stool or vomitus is not easily picked up, or
• illness is suspected.

1. Remove as much of the feces or vomitus as possible. Use of leaf catchers or leaf rakes is helpful.
   
   
2. Vacuum the remaining visible material.
   
   
3. Small material that is floating on the surface and cannot be removed by use of leaf catchers or leaf rakes should be pushed toward the overflow or skimmers until all visible material is removed.
   
   
4. Spot disinfect the area of contamination with a small quantity of available disinfectant.

• Add one ounce of calcium hypochlorite (or 4 to 5 ounces of sodium hypochlorite) which has been mixed in a small bucket of water to the affected area.
• Brush the walls and bottom of the pool in the contaminated area.

5. Wait approximately 30 minutes to ensure chlorine levels and pH levels meet the requirements outlined in the water recreation facility regulations, especially in the area where chemicals have been added.
   
   
6. Backwash the filter. (Pool operators with vacuum DE [diatomaceous earth] filters may use the Vacuum DE Filter Option .)
   
   
7. Reopen the pool.

1. Follow all the measures outlined in Steps 3 a, b, and c above.
   
   
2. Swimming pools; raise the chlorine to a minimum maintained free chlorine residual of 5 PPM and let the water recirculate for a minimum of 24 hours.  (Refer to the High Chlorine Dosage Worksheet on the reverse page if the pool cannot be closed for 24 hours.)  Spas and wading pools; it is recommended that spas (and small wading pools) be drained, the sides and bottom brushed with 100 PPM chlorine, refilled and balanced.
   
   
3. Backwash the filter.
   
   
4. Reopen the pool.

When incidents of contamination occur document what you did to correct the situation.  Maintain this record with your daily operating records.  An Incident Report section is provided on the reverse side of this guide.

If an incident occurs resulting in minor cuts and scrapes to a bather, verify that at the time of the incident the pool’s disinfection levels meet the requirements outlined in the water recreation facility regulations.                                                

If there is a serious injury resulting in significant blood loss in the pool, follow the procedures outlined in Steps 1, 3 d, e, and g, and 5.

Note:  For incidents resulting in feces, vomitus, blood, or other bodily fluids on the pool deck or in the locker rooms, refer to Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for proper bloodborne pathogens precautions and procedures.