# Do you pee in the pool? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419 "2010-02-02T18:41:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/41 "2010-02-03T19:02:32Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Heh, the funny thing is that figure is probably significantly less than it is for the general population. I dunno about that – I think your average population will think “Ewwww, nasty!”, with a small percentage thinking “Meh, nasty, but I don’t care”. Here, you’re more likely to get the “By virtue of the minuscule percentage of urine compared to pool water, and the fact that the chlorine is going to kill anything potentially harmful, it’s really not a big deal” answer than you might on, say, Yahoo Answers. Although on Yahoo Answers, you’ll probably get more people who poop in there as well. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/42 "2010-02-03T19:16:29Z")
I’m never going swimming again. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/43 "2010-02-03T19:16:42Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > I dunno about that – I think your average population will think “Ewwww, nasty!”, with a small percentage thinking “Meh, nasty, but I don’t care”. > > Here, you’re more likely to get the “By virtue of the minuscule percentage of urine compared to pool water, and the fact that the chlorine is going to kill anything potentially harmful, it’s really not a big deal” answer than you might on, say, Yahoo Answers. > > Although on Yahoo Answers, you’ll probably get more people who poop in there as well. As a kid, my mom wanted me to continue swimming in the pool after my sister threw up in there. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/44 "2010-02-03T19:30:01Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > As a kid, my mom wanted me to continue swimming in the pool after my sister threw up in there. ☹ Well, by virtue of the minuscule percentage of puke compared to pool water, and the fact that the chlorine is going to kill anything potentially harmful, it’s really not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/45 "2010-02-03T20:16:23Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > I dunno about that – I think your average population will think “Ewwww, nasty!”, with a small percentage thinking “Meh, nasty, but I don’t care”. No way. Also keep in mind that what people say if you ask them directly about it might differ from their actual behavior. But I assure you, _lots_ of people are peeing in the pool. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/46 "2010-02-03T20:33:40Z")
> [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This reminds me: when I was a kid, it seemed like everyone had a sign hanging off their pool saying: > > Welcome to our ool. > Notice there is no “P” in it. > Please keep it that way. > > I also remember there was an urban legend that there was a chemical you could put in the pool that would make the water turn bright red around someone if they peed. I lived in fear of this, and never tried it. I always liked: We don’t swim in your toilet So please don’t pee in our pool ---
**Author:** ![Rafe\_Hollister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/47 "2010-02-03T20:38:34Z")
You folks who said the chlorine will just “take care of it” are totally wrong. Quite the opposite is true: the nitrogen compounds in urine produce chloramines. Ever been in an indoor pool where the odor of chlorine was especially strong? Chloramines. Ever gotten out of a pool and had your eyes burning? Chloramines. The chlorine is there to kill any bacteria and microparasites in the water. Managing the level of chlorine to keep the concentration high enough to kill the pathogens while low enough that it is not uncomfortable is a difficult process. Urine in the water adds another variable to consider since it removes the residual chlorine by converting it to the aforementioned chloramine. Don’t pee in a pool. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/48 "2010-02-03T20:53:19Z")
> [@Rafe\_Hollister](#): > > You folks who said the chlorine will just “take care of it” are totally wrong. Quite the opposite is true: the nitrogen compounds in urine produce chloramines. Ever been in an indoor pool where the odor of chlorine was especially strong? Chloramines. Ever gotten out of a pool and had your eyes burning? Chloramines. The chlorine is there to kill any bacteria and microparasites in the water. Managing the level of chlorine to keep the concentration high enough to kill the pathogens while low enough that it is not uncomfortable is a difficult process. Urine in the water adds another variable to consider since it removes the residual chlorine by converting it to the aforementioned chloramine. > > Don’t pee in a pool. Wait, are you saying that when I go to a pool and the chlorine is especially strong, that it’s not the chlorine at all? That it’s actually (bleurgh) too much pee in the water? ---
**Author:** ![Rafe\_Hollister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/49 "2010-02-03T21:54:27Z")
At least in part, yes. Too much chlorine can do that, as can poor ventilation in the room. However, chloramine is often the odor that you are detecting. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/50 "2010-02-03T22:06:38Z")
Honestly! No no no no no no no! All of this “the chlorine will take care of it” is nonsense! How 'bout I piss shit puke and cum in your pool. Then you can get a mouthful when you’re swimming laps. Sounds OK? No? Alright then, case closed. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/51 "2010-02-03T22:33:17Z")
Not since I was a small **Snicks** , no. I’m an adult, I get out to use the facilities like all right-thinking adults should. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/52 "2010-02-03T22:40:41Z")
I only pee in other peoples pools to mark my territory. Peeing in my own pool is disgsting. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/53 "2010-02-03T23:04:39Z")
Ocean, lake, pool, shower… pretty much wherever I’m covered in water. ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/54 "2010-02-03T23:47:13Z")
In terms of the actual harm that pee can do to someone, isn’t the risk of peeing in the pool next to 0 because of the natural sterility of urine? Or is urine only sterile in healthy humans? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/55 "2010-02-04T01:00:59Z")
Doesn’t change the fact that it’s gross. You’re right, urine is sterile, but would you be okay if I came over and peed on your shoes? And for all those people who are saying, “Well, everyone else’s hygiene probably isn’t top notch”, that doesn’t excuse you contributing to the problem. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/56 "2010-02-04T02:50:27Z")
The solution to pollution is dilution. I grew up on a lake, and once I pooped in the lake, for the sake of science. It floated. Yay science! As young child I knew nothing of currents though, and as I walked away, the poop followed. As I walked faster, the poop followed! Only breaking into a sprint in shallower water is what saved me from the poop beast from the deep. I only answered yes because my last pool experience was scuba class, one hour at a time, with a wet suit on. Normally, I will get out and pee. But really, pee in the pool doesn’t bother me. It’s mostly water, it’s sterile, and the amount of nasties are seriously diluted. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/57 "2010-02-04T08:00:07Z")
> [@statsman1982](#): > > In terms of the actual harm that pee can do to someone, isn’t the risk of peeing in the pool next to 0 because of the natural sterility of urine? Or is urine only sterile in healthy humans? From what I hear (through word of mouth, so no cite), urine itself is sterile, but once it reaches the bacteria on the tip of your urethra, it becomes contaminated and ceases to be sterile. Though perhaps someone else with more authority on the subject can enlighten me. ---
**Author:** ![Sofis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Sofis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofis)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/58 "2010-02-04T09:29:39Z")
> [@Maiira](#): > > From what I hear (through word of mouth, so no cite), urine itself is sterile, but once it reaches the bacteria on the tip of your urethra, it becomes contaminated and ceases to be sterile. Maybe so, but that stuff’s going into the water regardless of whether you pee or not. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/59 "2010-02-04T11:54:53Z")
I am officially traumatized by this thread. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419/60 "2010-02-05T01:32:12Z")
I’ve not been back to the pool since I started this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/527419.md?page=4)