Analyzing THM Concentrations in Selected Indoor Swimming Pool Waters in the Opole Region

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the level of disinfection by-products in swimming pool waters in the Opole region. The authors paid special attention to determining the concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs), which are formed in water during disinfection. Five indoor swimming pools were selected to provide a different range of basin capacity of pools, number of users, and treatment methods. In analyzed waters we found trihalomethane (THM) concentrations in a wide range at 27.6-278.6 μg/dm 3. The detected level of total THMs in 57% of samples didn't fulfill the new proposal of requirements for swimming pool water quality (100 μg/dm 3). The dominant compound of THMs was chloroform because of chlorine application in the disinfection method. All tested objects had to implement corrective action plans, the effect of which was to reach the limit of THM total concentration.

Smart specialization as a factor stimulating innovative development of water and wastewater economy

“…New innovative solutions in water and sewage economy are necessary to, inter alia, guarantee continuity of supply, effective process coordination, water quality improvement, cost reduction. Use of the cutting-edge innovative solutions has become almost inevitable and is an additional challenge for the companies operating in this industry [15][16][17].…”

The occurrence of priority substances in surface water

“…This causes the concentration of these toxins in human and animal organisms much higher than in the environment. This process, called bioaccumulation, means that organisms at the end of the food pyramid and above all people are exposed to the accumulation of toxic substances in their bodies [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. Heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium and mercury in the priority substance group, interfere with the function of living organisms by destroying or impairing their cells.…”

Disinfection by-products monitoring in water of selected outdoor swimming pools in Opole Voivodship

“…A variety of studies have been disseminated on the presence of DBPs in swimming pools. Some reports [10][11][12][13][14] have served to offer an account of the total of THMs, or identified only chloroform [15][16][17][18]. There are also publications which include measurements that have been carried out with regard to pool water on a reduced scale or with samples generated in laboratory-scale simulations [17][18][19][20][21].…”