DUBAI: Recent tests on water quality of private residential pools in Dubai have revealed a shocking reality: a number of them are infested with bacteria, posing health risk to pool users.
Coliforms, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Fecal Streptococcus – ever heard these names before? They are commonly found bacteria in Dubai pools – perhaps the very pool your child is swimming in.
Reports shared with XPRESS by MAK Pools, a certified pool maintenance company in Dubai, showed a private residential pool in Arabian Ranches infected with Coliforms and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
Dr. Samitha Rajkumar, Pediatrician & Director of Pediatric Department, Unicare Dubai said: “Someone drinking water from a pool infested with bacteria could get gastro-intestinal infection. Swimming in an ill maintained pool can also cause skin rashes, conjunctivitis, stomach ailments and urinary tract and vaginal infections."
Dr. Rajkumar said pool-related infections are common among children during summer. “Treatments for such infections vary depending on their scale." She cautioned residents to get their pools maintained regularly.
Most pool users are unaware of the bacteria growing in their pools until someone falls sick and a micro-biological test of the pool water is done.
“Nearly 60 per cent of our customers are clueless about the water quality of their pool,” said Kumail Somji Owner, MAK Pools.
He said a bacteriological analysis of pool water costs only Dh350. “This summer we slashed our rates by 50 per cent, but still there are few takers for the test.”
