What percentage of the United States population goes swimming during a given year? How many pools and hot tubs are in the U.S.? Which recreational water infection is most prevalent?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled these statistics and facts to answer some questions you might have regarding safe swimming. Arming yourself with knowledge will help in making good decisions regarading recreational water activities.
How many pools are in the United States?
There are 8.8 million residential and public-use swimming pools in the United States.How popular is swimming in the United States?
Swimming is the third most-popular sport or activity in the U.S. No. 1 is walking and No. 2 is exercising with equipment.How many children and adults swim during the year?
According to statistics, 41% of children aged 7-17 years, and 17.4% of adults go swimming in the United States during an average year.How many times do people swim during a year?
Of the abovementioned 41% of children and 17.4% of adults in the U.S. who swim, each person makes at least six pool visits in one year.How many pool visits?
In the United States during 2006, there were approximately 339 million pool visits each year by persons over the age of 6.How many hot tubs?
There are more than 6.6 million hot tubs in operation in the U.S., according to a study conducted by Pool and Spa Marketing.What is the most common RWI?
The most frequently reported recreational water illness (RWI) is gastoenteritis. During 1997-2006, Shigella and norovirus caused 24 (23%) of 104 treated venue-associated RWI outbreaks of gastroenteritis.How many spa closures?
More than 11% (500 of 4,533) of spa inspections conducted during 2002 resulted in an immediate closure, pending the correction of the violations.How long does it take for chlorine to destroy germs in a pool?
Chlorine kills most bacteria such as E. coli in about a minute if it is maintained at proper disinfection levels (1–3 parts per million [ppm] free chlorine) and under ideal water conditions (pH at 7.5 or less; temperature at 77° F [25° C] or more) throughout the pool. However, a few germs are moderately (Giardia and Hepatitis A) to highly (Cryptosporidium) chlorine-tolerant.
