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Pool closes because of bacteria

The leisure pool at the Houston Leisure Facility was closed last week because of bacteria found in the water.
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The leisure pool was closed at the Houston Leisure Facility last week after water tested positive for pseudomonas bacteria - a common bacteria found in soil.

The leisure pool at the Houston Leisure Facility was closed last week because of bacteria found in the water.

Kelbey Trottier, Aquatic Coordinator, said they got a call from Northern Health at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, that the monthly water sample from that pool contained pseudomonas bacteria, so they closed it right away.

The main pool and hot tubs remained open as they were clean of the bacteria.

"It's just a common bacteria, nothing to worry about," Trottier said.

Pseudomonas bacteria can cause eye or ear infections or skin rashes, but it is a common bacteria found in soil.

Staff treated the leisure pool the same night it was closed, and sent clean samples to Northern Health last week Tuesday.

The bacteria gets into the pool through an infected person, like someone wearing dirty clothes into the pool or wearing shoes on deck, Trottier said.

"That's why we want people to always take their shoes off when they enter the facility, and shower before they enter the pool," said Wendy Van Barneveld, facility receptionist.

Responding to a similar situation last May, Ryan Coltura, Director of Leisure Services, said the water chemistry at the pool is kept well above minimum ranges so the public need not worry about the pool being clean.

"We always monitor the water chemistry closely," he said.