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/dm3. 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/dm3). 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.