With the rising number of SWIMMING POOLS and their users, the amount of energy consumption in the POOLS has increased significantly. In addition to the negative environmental effects, this issue causes high costs associated with high levels of energy consumption. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to provide solutions for sustainable management of energy consumption in SWIMMING POOLS. Following analysis of the primary data for this research gathered through semi-structured interviews, a number of solutions are developed for sustainable management of energy consumption in SWIMMING POOLS. These solutions encompass 6 main themes, namely water, temperature, light, air, materials, monitoring and inspection, which in themselves contain 73 sub-themes. Some of the solutions identified in the research include: using anti-evaporation covers, passive heating of the pool using solar energy, adding thermal insulation to the floor of the pool, using energy-saving underwater lights, using natural light to reduce dependency on artificial lighting, using insulated coatings in materials and equipment, using thermal recycling systems, optimizing air filtration systems, replacing old equipment with new ones and continuously monitoring key water parameters such as PH, chlorine, organic matter, and the amount of microbial density.

Introduction: Rapid growth of populations, urbanization, and working in confined spaces has led to an increasing demand for healthy recreations such as SWIMMING in public POOLS. In view of the fact that contaminated POOLS could transmit a number of contagious diseases, their sanitation is considered as top priority in environmental health programs. The aims of the investigations described in this study were two fold: (1) Firstly, to evaluate the degree of microbial contamination of the open and covered POOLS with selected groups of bacteria (major indices of water contamination) (2) Secondly, to assess the relationships between the degree of contamination and variables such as the mean value of residual chlorine, pH, temperature, etc in the POOLS.Material and Methods: Using standard methods, numerous samples were collected from all of the active POOLS at different times in Shiraz during the summer season of 2000. Relationships between the degree of contamination and variables such as the mean value of residual chlorine, pH, temperature, etc in the POOLS were evaluated.Results: The data indicates that 51.3% of the total samples were contaminated with pseudomonas. Furthermore, 16.6%, 11.1% and 7% of the total samples were contaminated with E.coli, fecal coliforms and streptococcus, respectively. The mean value of residual chlorine in pseudomonas contaminated samples was 0.445 mg/l. However, the corresponding value for non-contaminated samples was 1.052 mg/l, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.02). Similarly, 26.3% of the samples collected from the covered POOLS and 53.9% of those collected from open POOLS were contaminated with pseudomonas. Statistical analysis of the data revealed a significant difference (P<0.02) between the degree of contamination in open POOLS of pseudomonas as compared to that in covered POOLS. Additionally, our data shows that the source of water supply is also a major determinant of the degree of contamination. Surprisingly, public POOLS filled with well water were found to be less contaminated with different germs as compared to those filled with normal tap water. Moreover, the mean value of residual chlorine in E.coli contaminated samples was significantly different (P<0.0008) from that of non-contaminated samples. Open POOLS were found to be more contaminated with E.coli than covered POOLS. However, this difference could be attributed to a significant difference between the mean values of residual chlorine in these two different types of POOLS. Similar observations were made for contaminated and non-contaminated samples with fecal streptococcus and coliforms. There was an inverse relationship between the number of coliforms and the mean value of residual chlorine in the POOLS.Conclusion: Collectively and in conclusion, the observation that public POOLS in Shiraz, as demonstrated in this study, with a few exceptions, were generally contaminated with different germs, calls for a more strict supervision on the POOLS by the health authorities. In the absence of such supervision, contaminated POOLS continue to pose a significant risk to the health of swimmers.

Background: Due to the continuous use and also the individual’s different health conditions that use the service, SWIMMING POOLS may be a suitable place to transfer different types of diseases. It has always been a serious concern from the health point of view.Methods: In this descriptive study, the sampling was conducted as non- probable purposive. Isfahan Health Center number 1 including 19 health centers with 416 832 inhabitants, manages 19 POOLS in total. Investigations were conducted in 16 POOLS on the agenda. The required information was collected using the field method and also the documented information in the health center (physical features and microbial chlorination – years 87 and 88) were reviewed.Findings: 50% of the studied POOLS were public and 50% private. About 63% were indoor POOLS and 37% outdoor. The findings indicated that 63% of the total 16 POOLS have filtration system and the remaining 37% have no water treatment system. The findings also showed that the spatial distribution of the POOLS in the studied area is not appropriate. Out of the total 19 health centers, 9 health centers do not have any pool in their territory. While these nine centers cover more than 50% of the total territory and have 206, 743 populations.Conclusion: According to the results of this study it appears that a comprehensive review is required to investigate the health and spatial conditions of the POOLS and to estimate the number of POOLS required based on the number of people within a health center’s territory in Isfahan. Also providing a complete data bank by using GIS software is needed to assist the researchers.

Introduction; SWIMMING POOLS are one of the important recreational places that due to direct relationship to different groups of people, can be a good carrier for bacterial, fungal and parasite diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate hygiene condition of the POOLS.Material and methods: In this descriptive study, all of active SWIMMING POOLS of Bandar Abbas (based on Salvato recommendation) were selected for sampling.The number of microbial and fungal samples was 84 and 165 respectively. The volume of samples was 100, 250 and 1000 cc and sampling period was two weekly and sampling was random. Free residual chlorine and turbidity rates were tested respectively by DPD method and Lovivond turbid meter, the range of later instrument was 0-1000 NTU. Attention to hygienic and safety subjects by swimmers and operators was surveyed by questionnaire and results were analyzed by statistical indexes such as central indexes and Pearson correlation coefficient (P<0.05 = significant).Results: Chlorination of POOLS water in 47.3% of cases was suitable, 17.5% was unsuitable and 35.2% was zero. Variation rate of pH was 6.8-7.8 and turbidity in all of samples was less than 1 NTU and variation rate of turbidity in two cases was 1.4-9.4 NTU. 18% of total samples were polluted by Coli form bacteria.Relationship between chlorination rate and Coli form pollution was significant (r=0625 and P<0.05).The most important funguses separated from water were Aspergillus niger 44.11%, Yeast sp 35.8% Candida 33.09%, aspergillus sp 32.63%, Fusarium 27.29%, Cladspoum sp 25.79% and mucor 21.09% (no significance relationship to chlorination).Attention to safety subjects by operators was 80% and attention to hygienic subjects by swimmers was 60%.Conclusion: Attention to water disinfection, turbidity and pH control is effective in microbial pollution reduction but it is not a unique way in prevention of fungal pollution. Health habits such as body washing with soap before use of pool, correct using of entrance chlorine basin and basic sanitation of POOLS can reduce fungal pollution.

Background and Aim: One of the most important ways of spending leisure time is using SWIMMING POOLS and water parks. Therefore, the current research, in order to maintain the physical and mental health of the users of these places, seeks to develop a model for water safety in SWIMMING POOLS by using appropriate strategies. Methods: The current qualitative research was conducted using the foundation data model. The statistical population was university faculty members in the department of sports management and medical sciences, officials of the sports and youth department, experts in the field of construction and equipping of sports facilities, managers and users of SWIMMING POOLS in Mazandaran province, north of Iran in 2022. The non-random sampling method,and a semi-structured interview with open questions were used. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation (Interview No. 18). In order to finalize the research, validity and reliability criteria were used. Results: After removing the similar codes, 64 concepts were identified in the field of water safety development in SWIMMING POOLS, which are in two main categories of operational development (including technical measures, security measures, emergency services, health measures) and strategic development (including training and culture, preventive measures). Conclusion: Some important recommendations in the field of developing a model for water safety in SWIMMING POOLS include preventing the formation of calcareous deposits on the surface of the pool, preventing the growth of algae in the pool, having an oxygen device in SWIMMING POOLS and familiarizing rescuers and lifeguards with resuscitation methods and quick connection with medical centers.

Background: Public SWIMMING POOLS are suitable places for infectious transmission and skin diseases. Fungal contamination is the important index to evaluate hygiene SWIMMING POOLS. This study aimed to inspect the fungal contamination and a number of physico-chemical parameters in Hamadan indoor public SWIMMING POOLS.Methods: Four active indoor public SWIMMING POOLS in Hamadan were evaluated during four month. Sampling was performed twice per month (first and third week of each month) and microbiological, physico-chemical tests were carried out according to standard methods. The evaluated parameters were residual chlorine, pH, water temperature, counting and identification of the fungi. Descriptive statistics and T-student have been used for data analysis. Significance level has been chosen at 0.05.Results: Results showed that the water temperature mean was 29.31oC, pH and residual chlorine were 7.38 and 0.84 ppm, respectively. Statistical analysis found significant relation between the frequencies of fungi isolated from margin POOLS with season sampling (P.value£0.01). Fungi isolated from environmental POOLS (except water) includedAlternaria spp. (7), Aspergillus spp. (11), Aspergillus niger spp. (1), Cladosporium spp. (47), Penicillium spp. (15), Phoma Spp. (1), Rhodotorula Spp. (1) and highest percentage was belong toCladosporium spp.; There was no fungal isolated from POOLS water samples.Conclusion: According to the results, the isolated fungi were saprophytic genome and can be concluded that the improving the environmental health and swimmers behavior is effective in reducing fungal contamination.

Fungi are found in different environments with variable distribution patterns depending on various factors. The aim of this study was determination of fungal contaminants in public SWIMMING POOLS in Uromia, Iran. The fungal contaminations of four indoor SWIMMING POOLS were studied by using membrane filtration and swab sampling method. Samples were collected by a manual plastic pump, in a 200 ml sterilized bottle. All samples were collected within 2 hours and then transferred to the laboratory. A total of 384 samples including water and environmental surfaces were collected and tested for the presence of fungi in different seasons within one year. In addition to the above information, some physical and chemical parameters such as temperature, residual chlorine, pH, turbidity of water and the number of swimmers were studied. Findings indicated that, the average temperature, pH, residual chlorine and turbidity of water in the SWIMMING POOLS within one year were: 29.9°C, 8.1, 0.6 ppm and 0.8 NTU respectively. The most common fungi recovered were as follows: Asepergillus Spp. 56.25%, Candida spp. 22.9%, Rhizopus spp. 4.16 %, other filamentous fungi 16.6% and other yeast species 2.8%. The fungi such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, Philophora and Trichophyton mentagrophytis were isolated from dressing room, bathing room and other places out of POOLS. According to these results and previous studies on POOLS, it has been indicated that contamination by fungi in the POOLS is not significant in water and environment. Presence of dermatophytic fungus from dressing room is probably due to human contact.

The fungal contamination of four indoor public SWIMMING POOLS was investigated using membrane filtration and carpet sampling method. Sixty samples from water and related places of each SWIMMING pool were tested for the presence of fungi in different seasons during one year. The most common fungi recovered were as follows: Cladosporium sp. 34.9%, Penicillium sp. 31.2%, Rhizopus sp. 9.7%, Aspergillus sp. 9.2%, yeast species 6.2% and unknown filamentous fungi 8.8%. Also Trichophyton mentagrophytes were isolated in nine cases from dressing rooms and bathrooms of SWIMMING POOLS. The fungal contamination of these SWIMMING POOLS under specific conditions could be an alarm for induction of infections and allergy in compromised hosts.      

Background: Contamination of SWIMMING POOLS’ water can lead to the transfer of different diseases to humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of water in Kerman SWIMMING POOLS.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, sampling from SWIMMING POOLS was performed before and after SWIMMING, every week. Total number of samples collected was 150 samples. Samples were investigated in regard to the residual chlorine, pH, ORP (Oxygen Reduction Potential), temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total coliform, fecal coliform, heterotrophic plate count, fecal streptococcus, aurous staphylococcus and pseudomonas aeruginosa.Results: According to the obtained results, the residual chlorine in 12.3% of samples and pH in 26.7% samples were less than the standard level. Turbidity in 41.3% of cases and temperature in 33.2% of cases were above the standard rates. ORP of 27.4% samples was lower than the standard level. In none of the POOLS fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus and staphylococcus were above the threshold levels. The total coliform in 100%, Heterotrophic plate count (HPC) in 14.6% and pseudomonas aeruginosa in 31.4% were more than the standard values. There was a significant reverse relationship between the residual chlorine and the studied organisms.Conclusion: Although most SWIMMING POOLS in Kerman showed no incidence of microbial contamination and had the standard physico-chemical properties, pH and turbidity; still continuous monitoring and notification for improvement is necessary.