An Assessment of the effects of atmospheric precipitation on water quality in outdoor swimming pools

In the context of contemporary challenges in urban water management, particularly in relation to the scarcity of high-quality water and the amplification of urban floods, the implementation of an innovative approach to rainwater utilization becomes imperative. This approach serves as an alternative water source, mitigating the strain on tap water resources. Embracing rainwater presents an opportunity to diminish dependency on conventional water sources, while fortifying the urban water supply infrastructure in a sustainable and adaptable manner.

An extensive water quality assessment was conducted in outdoor swimming pools to examine the impact of precipitation on water quality within the pool environment. Two public bathing facilities located in Poland were examined. One of the pools under study was equipped with a closed-circuit water treatment system, while the other operated without such a sophisticated setup. The research spanned three summer months, aligning with the annual operating period for outdoor swimming pools in Poland, owing to the region's specific climatic conditions. The research encompassed a detailed analysis of the primary parameters of swimming pool water quality, as outlined in the Regulation of the Polish Minister of Health dated November 9, 2015, pertaining to the specified standards for swimming pool water. Moreover, the analysis extended to supplementary water quality indicators, encompassing, among others, total organic carbon (TOC), conductivity, and the presence of micropollutants (including contaminants of emerging concern).

The research results represent a foundational cornerstone for subsequent inquiry aimed at formulating an innovative methodology permitting the deliberate integration of rainwater into public swimming pools as a primary water source, thereby supplanting conventional tap water usage.

Acknowledgments: This research was financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the "Implementation Doctorate 2023" program, No. DWD/7/0339/2023, and by the National Centre for Research and Development, No. LIDER13/0126/2022.