Sanitary Surveillance Program for pools in Matosinhos, Portugal

Abstract

Abstract The use of pools for sports, recreational, and therapeutic activities has increased over time. It is important to ensure and control the quality of the water and surrounding areas, as well as the hygienic-sanitary conditions of these spaces. The ‘2018 Pool Sanitary Surveillance Program’ of the Portuguese Northern Regional Health Administration proposes the surveillance of water quality, teaching accessories, and surfaces. The aim of this investigation is to conduct microbiological analysis of the teaching accessories and surfaces in public pools in the municipality of Matosinhos and assess if this program has improved the results for water quality, teaching accessories, and surfaces from 2018 to 2023. The environmental health team of our Public Health Unit performed swabs of the teaching accessories and surfaces of all seven public pools in Matosinhos for microbiological analysis. The swabs were performed in 2018 (21), 2019 (48) and 2023 (42). During each visit, three random points were selected for analysis. In 2019, 31 rugs (64,6%) were analysed, but in 2023 only 10 (23,8%) were rugs. It was found that rugs had the highest contamination by P. aeruginosa (94,4%), fungi (60,8%), and the only sample with coagulase-positive Staphylococci. There was a decrease in samples from twelve to six with P. aeruginosa and an increase from 22 (46.8%) to 29 (69.0%) with fungi from 2019 to 2023. Bacterial colonies grew in 20 samples (95.2%) in 2018, 44 (91,6%) in 2019, and 42 (100%) in 2023. All water samples collected for the evaluation of microbiological parameters outlined obtained compliant results. Fungal and P. aeruginosa detection indicate a potential risk to the health of pool users. A quality report with corrective measures was produce for each pool in each visit. Surveillance of pool water, teaching materials and surrounding surfaces, is crucial to ensure water quality and safety. By doing so, we may lower the risk of disease transmission and protect the population’s health. Key messages • To ensure the safety of pool users is a public health challenge. It would be relevant to have legislation that addresses this issue. • To survey pools and its surroundings and accessories must be a continuous task, allied with literacy to management and users.