How To Clean Poop From A Swimming Pool

These recommendations are solely for management of fecal accidents in disinfected recreational water venues. The recommendations do not address use of other nonchlorine disinfectants because there is limited pathogen inactivation data for many of these compounds. Because improper handling of chlorinated disinfectants could cause injury, appropriate occupational safety and health requirements should be followed.

A. Formed stool (solid, nonliquid)

1. Direct everyone to leave all pools into which water containing the feces is circulated. Do not allow anyone to enter the contaminated pool(s) until all decontamination procedures are completed.
2. Remove as much of the fecal material as possible using a net or scoop and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. Clean and disinfect the net or scoop (e.g., after cleaning, leave the net or scoop immersed in the pool during disinfection). Vacuuming stool from the pool is not recommended*.
3. Raise the free available chlorine concentration to 2 mg/L, pH 7.2--7.5, if it is.

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