ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL WATER QUALITY IN ADO EKITI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT Water is very basic to life and also functions among others, in, transportation, recreation, cooling of irrigation systems, and food production. Water, is undoubtedly, a vital need of man for food and recreation. This study aims to evaluate the quality of water in public swimming pools within Ado Ekiti metropolis to ensure they meet health and safety standards for public use.The table presents Feacal Coliform levels from various swimming pools in Ado Ekiti, measured on Days 1, 7, 14, and 21, and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 200 MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 mL. Feacal Coliform is an indicator of contamination, primarily from human or animal waste, and its presence in high concentrations poses significant health risks, particularly for waterborne diseases like gastroenteritis, skin infections, and ear infections. At the start of the observations, most pools have relatively low Feacal Coliform levels. For instance, De Jewels Apartment (D J A) starts at 83 MPN/100 mL on Day 1 and rises steadily to 135 MPN/100 mL by Day 21. Similarly, Delight Hotel and Suite (D H S) shows an increase from 115 MPN/100 mL to 187 MPN/100 mL over the same period. Although both pools remain below the WHO guideline of 200 MPN/100 mL, the upward trend suggests that fecal contamination is increasing with pool usage. Without proper intervention, these levels could eventually surpass safe limits, increasing health risks for users. The assessment of water quality in public swimming pools in Ado Ekiti metropolis revealed significant deviations from WHO standards across multiple parameters. Elevated turbidity and TSS values in all pools indicate a consistent buildup of contaminants and inadequate filtration, reducing water clarity and posing safety risks for swimmers. High fecal coliform levels in several pools further indicate poor sanitation practices, leading to potential health risks associated with gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory infections. Residual chlorine levels in some pools exceeded recommended limits, raising concerns about the potential for skin and eye irritation among swimmers. These findings underscore the importance of strict water quality control and adherence to maintenance standards to minimize health hazards in public pools.