How Crypto Can Wreak Havoc in Your College Station Swimming Pool
09/18/2019 | Categories: Pool Maintenance
A common misconception about pool ownership is that properly chlorinated water will keep the pool clean and sanitary for swimmers. What you may not know, however, is that a parasite known as cryptosporidium (or Crypto) can still be lurking in your pool.
Crypto can be found in a number of environments including food, soil or contaminated surfaces that have come in contact with animal or human feces. Water also commonly harbors this parasite, with it being the leading cause of American waterborne disease outbreaks for nearly a decade.
This unwelcome parasite can be spread in a number of ways:
- Swallowing water infected Crypto (including pool water)
- Drinking lake or river water contaminated with Crypto
- Touching your lips or mouth with hands contaminated with the parasite
- Eating contaminated undercooked foods or raw beverages (such as unpasteurized milk)
Watery diarrhea and stomach pains or cramping are common symptoms of Crypto. Those with the parasite may also become dehydrated due to vomiting, feel nauseous, experience a fever or endure unexpected weight loss. Most symptoms subside within a week or two.
Why Chlorine Isn’t Enough for Treating Crypto in a College Station Swimming Pool
Crypto can remain in your pool water for days and can be difficult to detect. As Marcus Gentry, a College Station swimming pool expert in College Station, explained during a recent interview with KBTX-TV, Crypto is immune to chlorine and will continue to grow in chlorinated water.
How to Treat Water Affected By Crypto
Gentry urges anyone who owns a pool to invest in an ozone system.
“Ozone systems are great for [killing Crypto],” Gentry says. “It’s a natural oxidizer.”
Ozone is a sanitizer known for its ability to relentlessly attack unwanted inorganic and organic microbes including parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Ozone is able to break down the cellular walls or membranes of these microbes and destroy the nucleus, effectively killing it. Because of its superior oxidization strength, it won’t build up a tolerance to microbes, unlike chlorine.
Extra Tips for Avoiding Crypto
Keeping pool water out of your mouth is important when it comes to protecting yourself from Crypto. Taking a shower after each swim will also go a long way in keeping this parasite at bay.
Gentry says he will even bring his own pool testing strips to commercial pools just to be safe. Failing that, he suggests that you be on the lookout for pool water which appears cloudy or that which has a strong chlorine smell. While that overpowering chlorine scent is often mistaken as the water being “clean,” a strong odor actually suggests a high level of chloramines (used up and ineffective chlorine) in the water.
Interested in Learning More About Ozone Systems for Your College Station Pool?
Sunshine Fun Pools is committed to installing superior cleaning systems in every swimming pool in College Station, Bryan, and surrounding areas. If you’re interested in adding a state-of-the-art ozone water cleaning system to your Bryan pool, we can help.
We invite you to contact us online or give us a call at your convenience at (979) 690-3343.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
As the leading pool builder in Brazos Valley, Sunshine Fun Pools builds more than 100 pools each year while maintaining a 98 percent customer satisfaction rating. Founded in 2005, Sunshine Fun Pools specializes in custom pool design and quality construction, pool remodeling and pool maintenance services.
Call Sunshine Fun Pools today if you are looking for a professional, qualified customer pool builder in Bryan-College Station, Conroe, Navasota, Katy, Fulshear, The Woodlands, Franklin or Montgomery Country. For more Bryan College Station pool design tips, subscribe to their blog and YouTube Channel or ‘Like’ them on Facebook. You can also read their customer reviews to learn more about the exceptional services they provide.
Ready to get started on your own backyard oasis? Contact the Bryan College Station pool experts at Sunshine Fun Pools today!
