Swimming pools, beaches, lakes, and streams provide an opportunity to cool off during a summer that’s warmer than usual. Yet germs in the water can make people sick, especially young children, elderly people, and people with weak immune systems. Germs that can cause waterborne illness include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, E. coli, and norovirus. In the past three years, three outbreaks of waterborne illness have been reported to state health officials – two in lakes and one in a swimming pool.

Chlorine in swimming pools kills most germs, but some types of germs can resist chlorine for many days. Also, feces or other contaminants people introduce into the water from their bodies – such as urine, sweat, and dirt – can change how chlorine works, making it less effective.

Health officials want everyone to have fun in the water and to take water safety seriously. Always supervise children carefully, and make sure that everyone wears a life vest when on boats, rafts, or swimming in areas without a lifeguard.