CDC - Healthy Swimming and Recreational Water Home

Healthy Swimming/Recreational Water

Healthy and Safe Swimming Week May 18-24, 2015 - Make a Healthy Splash: Share the Fun, not the Germs!
New CDC Guidance for Healthy Pools - States and localities can help keep swimming healthy and fun.
Norovirus at the Lake - New Report Documents Illness at Oregon Lake

Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity and health benefits needed for a healthy life. Americans swim hundreds of millions of times in pools, oceans, lakes, rivers, and hot tubs/spas each year and most people have a safe and healthy time enjoying the water. However, it is important to be aware of ways to prevent recreational water illnesses (RWIs), sunburn, and drowning that can occur. CDC's Healthy Swimming Program and website, launched in 2001, provides information for the public, public health and medical professionals, and aquatics staff so everyone can maximize the health benefits of swimming while minimizing the risk of illness and injury.

Recreational Water Illness (noun):

Illness caused by germs and chemicals found in the water we swim in

Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water Topics

Health Benefits

Chronic Illness, Mental Health, Older Adults…

Recreational Water Illnesses

Germs & Illnesses, Education & Prevention Materials, State Resources…

Pools & Hot Tubs

Design, Operation, Disinfection, Regulation…

Model Aquatic Health Code

About, The MAHC, Updating, Tools…

Swimmer Protection

Tips for Healthy Swimming, Pool and Hot Tub User Information…

Other Recreational Water Issues

Drowning, Injuries, Boating, Sun Protection, Extreme Heat…

Oceans, Lakes, & Rivers

Beach Monitoring, Water Quality Indicators…

Natación Saludable

Información en Español…

Healthy Swimming Fast Facts

There are 10.4 million residential and 309,000 public swimming pools in the United States ¹.
In the United States during 2009, there were approximately 301 million swimming visits each year by persons over the age of six ².
Thirty-six percent of children aged 7-17 years, and 15% of adults in the United States, swim at least six times per year ².
About half (56.8%) of spas are in violation of local environmental health ordinances, and about 1 in 9 spas require immediate closure (11%) ³.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. U.S. Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Market 2011 [PDF - 1 page].
US Census Bureau. Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012. Arts, Recreation, and Travel: Participation in Selected Sports Activities 2009 [PDF - 2 pages]
CDC. Surveillance Data from Public Spa Inspections — United States, May–September 2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004;53(25):553-5

*1978-2010; Ordered from highest to lowest frequency (i.e., #1 is the most-commonly reported etiology). Only confirmed etiologies in source databases have been included the analyses. For outbreaks with multiple etiologies, each etiologic agent counted towards the total.