Over the past few days, several leading agencies finally released information regarding COVID-19, answering several questions that many of you had posed to us privately. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posted guidelines on their website which clearly states that: “There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.” They also mentioned the effect on our drinking water, saying: “The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”  Earlier, two European agencies had posted information regarding the connection between COVID-19 and pools. A post from Waterbourne Health Care – Dublin pointed out that maintaining a best practice chlorine residual of 1.0 PPM is sufficient to inactivate COVID-19 virus. They mentioned that spas should maintain a higher chlorine residual, which does not require any additional action from our customers as the DOH codes require the same. Finally the Dublin post also provided a chart showing the relative efficacy of both chlorination and ultraviolet (UV) systems on the inactivation of various viruses. Finally the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group in England posted a PWTAG Coronavirus Update, which provided some additional recommendations and comments.   Together with the other posts we agree that a sensible plan includes the following:

• Test Pool Water Frequently: DOH code requires a minimum of daily tests, and some organization

• Check Control System Daily: A CES recommendation for nearly 4 decades, is that the operator should compare the manual test kit reading against the control system to verify proper calibration and enter both readings into their DOH-required daily logs. Click here if you would like to schedule a maintenance check up.

• Get your Pools Connected: Thousands of CES customers have communicating control systems, and the benefits from remote control, digital log keeping, and alert notification are well documented by customers, health departments and insurance companies alike. It’s inexpensive to implement and will normally save more money than it costs.
• Look into Monthly Bacteria Tests: CES provides inexpensive bacteria tests that you can perform in-house, or you can send us your pool water for monthly tests in case you want an additional set of eyes on it.
• Clean and Disinfect Frequently Touched Objects and Surfaces Often: This would include bathroom facilities, handrails and ladders, tables, chairs and pool lounges, and pool toys. 
• Direct Customers to Shower before and after Using the Pool: This has been a best practice requirement for decades, but is not commonly followed. Now might be a good time to insist.

Please let us know if you need any additional information or support.