Whether in public swimming pools or in your own pool in the garden - clean pool water is important for a relaxing bathing experience.

However, contaminants such as germs/bacteria can enter the water through humans or the environment (e.g. coliform bacteria as faecal indicators) and multiply there under favorable conditions or with insufficient disinfection. These can then be ingested by humans when bathing or swimming and lead to infections. Swimming pool water should therefore be checked for quality and hygiene - for microbiological and chemical parameters.
 

Public swimming pools: mandatory checks

Strict guidelines and regulations apply to public swimming pools. Operators are legally obliged to carry out regular water analyses for swimming pool water, pure water, filling water, filtrate and drinking water and to document the results. These tests include various parameters such as the presence of bacteria and other microorganisms, the pH value and the chlorine content. This is laid down in the Federal Environment Agency's recommendation “Hygiene requirements for swimming pools and their monitoring”. These strict controls ensure that bathers can swim in a hygienically safe environment. Drinking water from water dispensers and showers must also be regularly microbiologically tested in accordance with the German Drinking Water Directive (TrinkwV).

Private pools: Voluntary but recommended checks

Owners of private swimming pools are not legally obliged to test the water, but it is in their own interest to keep an eye on the water quality. Regular tests can help to identify and rectify potential problems at an early stage and thus avoid health risks. Checking the pool water for bacteria and chemical parameters is an essential part of pool maintenance.