What are the three closure factors for public swimming pools?

The three closure factors for public swimming pools are indeed pH, turbidity, and free available chlorine. Each of these factors plays a critical role in maintaining safe and healthy swimming environments.

pH is essential because it affects the efficacy of disinfectants and the comfort of swimmers. A pH that is too high or too low can lead to issues such as skin and eye irritation and can reduce the effectiveness of chlorine in killing harmful pathogens.

Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of the water, which can be a sign of contaminants or inadequate filtration. High turbidity levels can obscure visibility in the pool and can indicate that the water is not clean, making it a necessary factor for closure.

Free available chlorine is a measure of the amount of chlorine available to disinfect the water. If the levels of free chlorine fall below safety thresholds, harmful microorganisms could thrive, posing a health risk to swimmers.

These three factors are foundational in ensuring that public swimming pools are safe and enjoyable for all users, making understanding and monitoring them essential for sanitarians and environmental specialists.