MICROBIAL QUALITY OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS IN LAGOS

A. E. Omotayo; T. J. Oladiipo; S. A. Adesida; T. H. Akinyemi; O. O. Adeogun; O. O. Amund

A. E. Omotayo Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
T. J. Oladiipo Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
S. A. Adesida Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
T. H. Akinyemi Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
O. O. Adeogun Department of Botany, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
O. O. Amund Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria

Keywords: Bacteria, Fungi, Infection, MAR index, Swimming pools

Abstract

The microbial quality of some public swimming pools in Lagos State, Nigeria was investigated to determine possible risks of infections to swimmers. Ten swimming pools (Pools A-J) were investigated for their microbial and physico-chemical qualities. The pH of the pools ranged from 5.24-8.71 and the residual chlorine ranged from 0.01-0.07. Water samples from the pools were cultured on differential and selective media. The microbial loads varied with different swimming pools. The fungal population ranged from 0 - 4.70⁴cfu ml^-1, while the bacterial population ranged from 0 - 1.12 x 10⁵cfu ml^-1. Eight bacterial isolates were obtained and identified using Microbact 24E kit. Fungal isolates (6) were identified by microscopy, Grams staining and chloramphenicol test. The isolates include Aeromonas hydrophila (4), Burkolderia pseudomallei (2), Serratia marcescens (1), Enterobacter agglomerans (1), Candida albicans (3), Saccharomyces spp. (2) and Aspergillus flavus (1). Antifungal sensitivity test showed 50% susceptibility to nystatin and 50% resistance to voriconazole, while the bacteria were resistant to most of the antibiotic tested. The Multiple Antibiotics Resistance (MAR) index for the isolates ranged from 0.125 to 1.000. The feedback from the questionnaires administered, showed that unhygienic practices and maintenance of pools could contribute to low levels of swimming pool water quality. The high microbial loads and the types of microorganisms isolated from the pools show that contaminated swimming pools can constitute a serious public health hazard to the users.