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DEVELOPMENT IN THE TECHNIQUE OF SWIMMING
BATH WATER TREATMENT.
I am indebted to Mr. G. Swarbrick, M.N.A.B.S., A.I.E.C.,
Baths Superintendent, for the following information on this
important subject, namely:—
"Although the number of bathers at the Council Swimming
Baths averages 250,000 annually few of that number have any idea
of the work entailed in supplying and maintaining a high standard
of sterile water to safeguard their health.
Contaminated water can be the source of many types of
diseases. To obtain and maintain a degree of safety is the chief
aim of every Baths Superintendent in charge of public swimming
pools used by every class of the community and of all ages.
The fear of contamination of the bath water is greatly reduced
by the instruction of personal hygiene to the users. Matters such
as pre-cleansing of the body, the nostrils and hair, and not spitting
in the bath water are most important.
It is remarkable the number of people who still look upon the
swimming bath as a means of cleansing the body, an idea which is
entirely erroneous.
Gone is the era of the 'fill and empty' system, when the bath
was filled with clean water and allowed to be used for three days
and then it was emptied and refilled again. The charge to bathe
was gradually decreased each day as the water became dirtier, and
as may be expected ' clean water day ' was the most popular. The