The swimming pools in Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Kauniainen provide swimmers with good quality water
In 2024, Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Kauniainen had a total of nine indoor swimming pools, a large water park and 16 other public swimming pools. Over the course of the year, a total of more than 700 samples were collected from all swimming pools and roughly 7,000 individual tests were carried out on them About 98% of the results met the quality requirements for pool water.
Water samples are regularly taken from the swimming pools in Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Kauniainen, the results of which are monitored by Espoo Region Environmental Health Services. Among other things, bacteria and physico-chemical parameters, such as chlorine and pH, are studied in the water. If the statutory quality requirements are not met, Espoo Region Environmental Health Services will, if necessary, instruct the owner of the pool in question to take corrective measures and collect a repeat sample.
The microbiological quality of the pool water was mostly excellent
The microbiological quality of the water in the swimming pools was found to be very good. Only four test results (0.2% of all test results) did not meet the quality requirements.
The microbiological water quality of pool water is assessed by determining the presence of heterotrophic bacteria in water samples. Their quantity indicates the total number of microbes that have been released into the water by the swimmers, the environment and the network water, and that have survived disinfection. In addition, the presence of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium is investigated. The bacteria in question can cause ailments, such as rashes or ear infections, and must not be present in pool water in any quantity.
The quantity of heterotrophic bacteria exceeded the limit value in one pool once. The pool was drained and the chlorine supply was increased. In the repeat sample taken after these measures, the result was at an acceptable level.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria were found in three different pools of one site. Bacteria were no longer found in the repeat samples taken after the intensive chlorination of the pools and the cleaning of the pool facilities.
The physical and chemical quality of the water was good
Roughly 97% of the test results met the physico-chemical quality requirements. Quantitatively, the highest number of results that deviated from the quality requirements pertained to chlorine (50 pcs) and turbidity (45 pcs). However, most of the deviations in question were minor, and they are not considered to have caused any harm to pool users.
Relative to the number of samples (44), most deviations (4) were found with regard to trihalomethanes. Trihalomethanes are usually tested in swimming pools once a year. They are compounds that are produced when organic matter reacts with chlorine. The trihalomethane concentrations of the water samples taken after the corrective measures were at an acceptable level.
The law states that the latest pool water test results must be made available to the customers for viewing.
Espoo Region Environmental Health Services wishes remind everyone to wash themselves properly before entering the pool as swimmers can carry contaminants into the pool, thereby reducing the quality of the swimming water.