The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented in both our national and personal experience. None of us has ever gone through anything like it before and hopefully never will again. For now at least, the virus has changed our lives. In some respects, we may never be the same.
That said, there are aspects of our lives that have not changed, and never will. One of those is the need for healthy recreation. As we all “shelter in place,” those of us who own swimming pools have a valuable resource right outside our back doors, one that we can use to bolster our spirits and support our health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”
It’s also helpful to note that also according to the CDC, “The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”
Unless contrary evidence comes to light, it is safe to assume that properly treated water does not spread the virus. This is great news for pool owners because it means that we can all use our pools and spas during this crisis. In fact, the only apparent risk related to pools and spas is simply that in public and commercial settings they become gathering places where people can potentially expose each other to the virus the same way that can happen in any other public place.
With that in mind, it does make sense that in hot spots such as New York, public pools remain closed for the time being. But when it comes to residential pools where families are the only users, there is no known risk.
Essential Service
Unfortunately, some of our clients have not heard or embraced that message and are under the impression that their pools should not be serviced. While we all understand the importance of exercising an abundance of caution, leaving your water unattended does not contribute to your family’s safety. In fact, because waterborne illnesses can become an unnecessary risk, you are eliminating a potential source of illness by continuing with regular pool service.
The good news is the government has determined that pool service is “essential” for that precise reason. It’s basic commonsense: water that is left unattended, un-sanitized and unfiltered is dangerous. I look at it this way: we’re already dealing with a deadly virus coursing its way through society, why would we make the situation even more hazardous by not properly servicing pools and spas?
And let’s not forget the positive impact on our health and our sense of well-being gained from aquatic activity. Swimming is one of, if not the best form of exercise known to humankind and being in and around water is proven to elevate our mood. There’s never been a better time to take care of our physical and mental health than right now. Science has proven that maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes proper exercise is part of sustaining a robust immune system, something that concerns us all, especially now!
Safe and Clean Pool Water
At SRK, we take all this very seriously. Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we are here to make sure your water is not only safe, but also clean, clear and inviting. We conduct our service procedures with the highest level of sensitivity and adherence to recommended “social distancing” guidelines. We send only one person at a time to each pool, and that person takes the highest possible level of care in observing cleanliness and social distancing.
After all, we are in this together; we are all at risk. More than ever this is when we should be looking out for each other’s health and safety. As we all hunker down and ride out this pandemic, it only makes sense to utilize the assets we have available to us, to find ways to inject normalcy and healthfulness into our lives. Going for a swim or a soak is a perfect and safe way to do that.
Please reach out to us with questions and let us assist you to get through this time by making sure you can use your pool and spa as a way to stay as healthy and happy as possible.