Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination in Sarein Mineral Spas

Failure to observe proper hygiene principles of water and swimming pool environment is effective in causing health problems and transmission of infectious diseases to swimmers. This study aimed to analyze the level of Escherichia coli and Heterotrophic Plate Count in mineral pools in Sarein.

For this purpose, sampling was performed in each season, and the samples were tested according to the standard method. Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the normality or abnormality of the data. Then, through ANOVA, the differences between the seasons and the pools were compared in terms of the studied parameters.

The results of the analysis of variance showed that there was no significant difference between the spas in terms of the measured parameters. A comparison of the average data showed that the amount of contamination of mineral spas during the seasons with E. coli was more than the allowable value announced by the National Standard Organization of Iran. The amount of residual chlorine in all samples was zero and the pH was equal to 6.8. The results of principal component analysis showed that mineral spas No. 6, 2, and 11 had the highest HPC (Heterotrophic Plate count) and pH and 9 Cheshmeh, Ershad, and Ghahveh Sui mineral spas based on the second component had the highest E. coli; No. 7 had the lowest E. coli.

Finally, it can be concluded that the cause of the contamination of mineral swimming pools in Sarein city is the high volume of passengers and the lack of proper sanitary management of swimming pools.