# If someone shits in an olympic-size pool, do they have to drain the whole pool? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 3, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213 "2009-05-03T21:39:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/21 "2009-05-04T12:00:26Z")
Greaseman: Hey, isn’t it great, just relaxing by the pool here in Acapulco? Let’s go for a dip. Estelle: Oh, honey, give me the key to the room. I have to go up. Greaseman: Why? Estelle: Well, I have to go to the bathroom. Greaseman: Oh, c’mon, the room’s on the 12th floor, you don’t want to go all the way back there. Just go in the pool. Estelle: Oh, I couldn’t do that… Greaseman: Come on, Estelle, it’s no big deal. Everybody does it. Let’s go. Minutes later…pool staff is running around excitedly, pool is being evacuated. Greaseman: What’s going on? Lifeguard: Some gringo bitch shit in the pool. :rolleyes: (radio story paraphrased from Doug “Greaseman” Tracht, DC shock jock. He cleaned up the language for radio, I dirtied back up again.) ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/22 "2009-05-04T12:14:44Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Fish poop in lakes, rivers, and oceans. 😃 Yeah and I don’t like to swim in those either. 😛 I have an aversion to swimming in water that I can’t see what’s sneaking up on me. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/23 "2009-05-04T13:22:00Z")
Never underestimate the power of chemicals. When pool opening time comes around, my pool is often not pristine. A couple of years ago I lifted the tarp and found the water was totally black, with little squiggly worms zipping back and forth. After a couple of rounds with several gallons of liquid chlorine, and continuous filtering, it was declared swimmable by the pool store tech. Another week and it was clear enough to see if a quarter tossed in the deep end was heads or tails. I routinely remove dead squirrels and mice from the pool. A few years ago I opened the pool and saw a big plump rabbit silhouetted against the far wall of the deep end. No problem—just toss in more shock. What would bother you more, a bit of poop or a month-old dead rabbit? It’s kind of like sausage and politics. Try not to think about what might have happened in the water as you enjoy your swim. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/24 "2009-05-04T13:54:46Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > with little squiggly worms zipping back and forth. Did the ‘squiggly worms’ look [like this](http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/invertid/images/Mosquito_Larva1.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/25 "2009-05-04T14:11:09Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Fish poop in lakes, rivers, and oceans. 😃 Not to mention that in many rivers, most of the flow comes from sewage treatment plants. Hey, fun fact. You know how they treat sewage so it’s safe to discharge to a river than people swim in? Let it sit in a big tank for a while, then add chlorine. Hmmm… seem familiar? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/26 "2009-05-04T14:29:11Z")
Clearly, the time has come for people to be given enemas before they’re allowed in public pools… ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/27 "2009-05-04T15:12:00Z")
> [@Great\_Dave](#): > > “Welcome to our ool. Notice there is no ‘P’ in it. Please keep it that way.” Don’t you mean, “welcome to our l”? ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/28 "2009-05-04T15:32:38Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Not to mention that in many rivers, most of the flow comes from sewage treatment plants. > > Hey, fun fact. You know how they treat sewage so it’s safe to discharge to a river than people swim in? Let it sit in a big tank for a while, then add chlorine. > > Hmmm… seem familiar? Actually, the high fecal count in rivers, lakes, etc. is caused by surface runoff from the surrounding areas all along their feeders especially in agricultural areas. The typical treatment for us is is to evacuate the pool, remove the physical matter (if possible), boost the free available chlorine (not to shock level), and allow sufficient time for the pumps and filters to perform one turnover before readmission. It’s quite possible either the operators of that pool weren’t sure what to do or maybe the circulation/filtration system was inadequate or non-existant. Public pools, if operated correctly, are much cleaner than any other environment you will ever enter, including hospitals, since you are essentially bathing in disinfectant. This also includes the pool deck areas, slides, ladders, etc.. due to the cast off from swimmers. My great grandparents had an old stone pool that they filled with river water and swam in it for days maybe weeks, until it was too dirty, then they would drain and refill it. Up until the 1950s, I understand this was common practice. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/29 "2009-05-04T15:34:16Z")
Can I really be the first guy to cite _Caddyshack_? ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/30 "2009-05-04T15:38:50Z")
> [@Cagey\_Drifter](#): > > Just wondering if I should do it, but as an environmentalist, I would also like to conserve water if possible. Please don’t crap in the pool. The few gallons of toilet water you’re conserving isn’t worth it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/31 "2009-05-04T15:52:21Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Most places don’t drain the pool. Clean it, shock it (high dose of chloriine), then let chem levels return to safe levels. > > The pool water is sloshing in and out of everyone’s but cracks and private parts all day anyway. Poop in a pool is purely a psychological issue, not really a health issue. > > And kids with swimmies on? Yeah, water is filtering through the feces laden pants the whole time anyway. > > Visible poop in pool: psychological Despite what you may thing. Caddyshack wasn’t a documentary. What do you do if there is poop in the pool? 1. Skim it out. 2. Make sure people see you pouting granulated chlorine into the skimmer. 3. Don’t worry about it. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/32 "2009-05-04T16:00:27Z")
I guess I am amazed at the number of people who never really thought about what it means to go swimming in pools with a bunch of other people. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/33 "2009-05-04T16:06:26Z")
I’d considered that other people had swam in the water, peed in it even, but not that someone might have shot a load of diarrhea into it. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/34 "2009-05-04T16:11:38Z")
Welcome to our poo . Notice there is [no L in it](http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=all&q=poo+pool+sign&m=tags). (SFW, honest.) ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/35 "2009-05-04T16:26:51Z")
Related question: Would a Baby Ruth bar be safe to eat after floating in a chlorinated pool for a while? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/36 "2009-05-04T16:38:55Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Did the ‘squiggly worms’ look [like this](http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/invertid/images/Mosquito_Larva1.jpg)? Yeah, I recognize that. We had an above ground pool in the backyard when I was a kid, and we got LOTS of mosquito larva in the pool. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/37 "2009-05-04T16:59:50Z")
I don’t like breathing public air because someone, somewhere, just farted. ---
**Author:** ![Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alive_At_Both_Ends)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/38 "2009-05-04T17:24:31Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Fish poop in lakes, rivers, and oceans. 😃 Whales have sex in water - better stick to beer. (Where can I find a beer pool?) ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/39 "2009-05-04T18:51:12Z")
Everyone into the hot tub!!! Good times! ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/40 "2009-05-04T18:58:07Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Everyone into the hot tub!!! Good times! Just don’t go to youtube and enter “diarrhea hot tub” in the searchbox and then click the first result. You’ve been warned. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213.md?page=3)