Series on Fountain

1. Sometimes fountains allow for wading and if not intented for wading should have a sign indicating such.

But can one get sick from these fountains by wading in them?

Yes.

All fountains have the same potential for diarrheal disease outbreaks when people wade in them. Anyone who accidentally swallows fecally contaminated water can become ill. When people, especially diaper-aged children, play in or soak themselves with the water jets, they can contaminate the water. This may spread germs that can make people sick.

Proper maintenance of these fountains by a licensed professional is absoluted needed and to keep a safe environment.

Everyone can agree that fountains are beautiful, when they are clean.

We probably have all heard of Legionnaires’ disease at one time or another. Such disease is also know as Legionellosis (Lee-juh-nel-o-sis) which is a lung infection caused by a bacteria (germ) that can be found in water systems like a decorative fountain and grows in high numbers in still water with temperatures between 77F-113F. Legionellosis may occur after a person breathes in mists or vapors from a germ polluted water source like a decorative fountain1. This disease has two forms. Symptoms of Legionellosis are fever, muscle aches, chills, loss of appetite, diarrhea, tiredness, headache, and cough. These appear within two to ten days after exposure.

Lets all enjoy our fountains by keeping them clean and not worry about bacteria. Your licensed "Water Fountain Guy" can help you with this activity as well.

1http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/hea/docs/Fact_Sheets/2009/10.09/LEGIONELLOSIS_PUBLISHER_SS.pdf

According to the 22CCR 65501, California Code of Regulations Cal.Admin. Code tit. 22, 65501 a "pool" is defined as an artificial basin, chamber or tank used, or intended to be used, for public swimming, diving, or recreative bathing, but does not include baths where the main purpose is the cleaning of the body, nor individual therapeutic tubs. Thus a fountain which is used by the public for recreative bathing can be consided a pool and therefore needs to be maintained by a LA county department of public health licensed professional pool service technician.

We have all seen it at larger fountains from time to time, when people are in them to cool off from the summer heat. This is true with even interactive fountains, where people frolic in them to cool down from the summer heat and have fun in them as well.

1a. Interactive Fountains are wonderful and allow for wading and getting wet without actually swimming, but can one get sick from these fountains?

Yes.

Interactive water fountains are fountains with water sprays in areas accessible to the public where interaction with the water is encouraged.

Several diarrheal disease outbreaks have been associated with interactive water fountains. Anyone who accidentally swallows fecally contaminated water can become ill. When people, especially diaper-aged children, play in or soak themselves with the water jets, they can contaminate the water. This may spread germs that can make people sick.

Proper maintenance of these fountains is absoluted needed and by a licensed professional to keep a safe environment.

1b. Interactive Fountains are sometimes technically cutting edge and when water is not distributed as designed, either or both the electronic controller box and nozzel solenoids need to be scrutinized. Should the fountain get to the stage of this type of investigation, it may be time for a thorough cleaning and preventative maintenance.

2a. Regular Fountains sometimes allow for wading, and if not intented for wading but are very inviting and commonly used for such should have a sign indicating wading is not allowed.

But can one get sick from these fountains by wading in them?  Yes

All fountains have the same potential for diarrheal disease outbreaks when people wade in them. Anyone who accidentally swallows fecally contaminated water can become ill. When people, especially diaper-aged children, play in or soak themselves with the water jets, they can contaminate the water. This may spread germs that can make people sick.

Proper maintenance of these fountains by a licensed professional is absoluted needed and to keep a safe environment.

2b. Doesn't chlorine kill all the germs placed in a fountain?
No.

Chlorine does not kill all the germs in the water, but it does a good job of killing most of the germs. However, a few germs can survive levels of chlorine for several hours to days. Chlorine must be maintained at proper levels to kill most of the germs. This requires a trained, tested and certified licensed professional to properly add chemical in the correct amount as adding too much chemicals or too little chemicals can put the public safety and health at undue risk.