# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/61 "2009-05-06T18:36:07Z")
See that doesn’t even make sense. It makes it sound like you were only _pretending_ to be concerned about wasting the water and pooing in peoples mouths by proxy. By the way, I’ve got a couple more zingers to put in your act: CD: Why did the chicken cross the road? IV: I don’t know, why? CD: \ * * * CD: Knock knock! IV: Who’s there? CD: Cagey drifter. IV: Cagey drifer who? CD: \ * * * CD: How many cagey drifters does it take to close a pool? IV: I don’t know, how many? CD: Just one. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/62 "2009-05-06T18:55:46Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > 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. Me too. It really hit me when I saw little kids going in our local pool with diapers on. Now, I know what the inside of a diaper looks like, and I don’t want to swim in diaper soup. From there it wasn’t much of a leap to imagine the same water I’m spitting out of my mouth having recently been swirling around someone else’s - or my own - asshole. As for the ocean, lakes and rivers, I’m pretty picky about those, too. I don’t enter the water in many places in the Caribbean because the charter boats don’t have holding tanks and the toilets just discharge directly into the “pristine” water. It’s pretty unsettling to see turds floating by while you’re snorkeling. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/63 "2009-05-06T19:04:23Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > That other people are too lazy to get up to go to the bathroom? That’s what blows me away. I think I was an adult before I realized that it wasn’t just a joke, that people actually pee in pools. I’m still not sure I believe that really happens. (Yeah, I _believe_ it, but it’s . . . way past weird for me.) ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/64 "2009-05-06T19:17:40Z")
The thing is, in a pool where the water is being treated, all the little nasties from the poo are being catively killed. In the wake of a charter boat, not so much. If you’re really worried about it, you’re better off in the pool. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/65 "2009-05-06T19:22:04Z")
I remember reading an account by a former Playboy playmate about how there was a bar at the Playboy Mansion in Chicago that was underground and had a large plate-glass window behind the bar itself that provided an underwater view directly into the the swimming pool next to it. She said that once it was built people in the bar were horrifed to see the yellow clouds occasionally emanating from one or another of the pool’s swimmers (many of whom were probably nude to begin with). Poor Hef! a person just can’t think of everything, can he? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/66 "2009-05-06T19:28:54Z")
> [@Dr.Woo](#): > > It really hit me when I saw little kids going in our local pool with diapers on. Now, I know what the inside of a diaper looks like, and I don’t want to swim in diaper soup. It’s more of a broth, really. ---
**Author:** ![Amber\_in\_Treasury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Amber\_in\_Treasury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amber_in_Treasury)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/67 "2009-05-06T22:44:50Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > What about Europe? They use ozone instead of chlorine..does it work better? Certainly not in all of Europe. I grew up in Luxembourg, and only ever heard of chlorine being used in swimming pools. Or am I being whooshed…? ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/68 "2009-05-07T17:44:55Z")
But isn’t it true that solid flakes of shit can’t be completely sterilized by the chlorine since only the surface will be treated? Therefore, if you accidentally swallow pieces of the feces clouds in the water, won’t you be getting all the nasties after all? ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/69 "2009-05-07T19:19:06Z")
That’s why they close the pool when someone has diarrhea, you get feces clouds. You can’t scoop out all the bits. If you have solid stool, there aren’t going to be any random bits, or anyway not enough to really matter. If you have a loose stool, the pool will be closed until enough time has passed to cycle the pool. That is, until it is reasonable to expect that all the water will have passed through the filter. Here’s another joke option for you: CD: Did you hear they’re planning a new Fantastic Four movie? SM: No, really? CD: \ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/70 "2009-05-07T20:05:24Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > So you’re saying you won’t have a yellow or brown stained crotch? It’s pressed up right against you! I still think it’s absolutely disgusting. One time I _cough_ knew a little girl who was having so much fun in the pool she didn’t want to get out to use the bathroom, and she simply pulled her suit to the side for a moment. No stain! My mom’s boyfriend had to grab the result out of the pool with a towel. :o ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/71 "2009-05-07T20:23:15Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > One time I _cough_ knew a little girl who was having so much fun in the pool she didn’t want to get out to use the bathroom, and she simply pulled her suit to the side for a moment. No stain! > > My mom’s boyfriend had to grab the result out of the pool with a towel. :o So does this have anything to do with your name? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/72 "2009-05-07T20:35:21Z")
Nope, just a poop story. I wonder whatever happened to that disgusting child? 😃 ---
**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 22, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/73 "2009-05-22T19:31:05Z")
More reasons not to do it: [Tinkling in the pool causes disgust and discomfort - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/22/pools.urinate.hygiene/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/74 "2009-05-22T19:58:39Z")
> [@Tenebras](#): > > That’s why they close the pool when someone has diarrhea, you get **feces clouds**. You can’t scoop out all the bits. If you have solid stool, there aren’t going to be any random bits, or anyway not enough to really matter. If you have a loose stool, the pool will be closed until enough time has passed to cycle the pool. That is, until it is reasonable to expect that all the water will have passed through the filter. > > \> First Homo Storms. Now feces clouds! Whats next ? Hemmerroid Tsunamis? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/75 "2009-05-22T20:07:06Z")
Why would you even WANT to go swimming if you had diarrhea? I want to do anything but sit on the can and get everything out of my system. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/76 "2009-05-22T22:22:53Z")
My neighborhood’s new pool is supposed to be opening in June; the HOA has sent everyone a list of rules. Number 4 on the list: “Training pants with snug fitting rubber pants or the newly design (sic) swim diapers are required for any infant/child not toilet trained. _ **Fecal contamination will cause the pool to close for a minimum of 24 hours while water treatment is conducted.** _” However, the letter sent with the list of rules states that “rule violations [including non-swim-diapered children] sometimes require that the pool be drained”. Just thought I would share. ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-shits-in-an-olympic-size-pool-do-they-have-to-drain-the-whole-pool/495213/77 "2009-05-23T02:28:59Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > More reasons not to do it: [Tinkling in the pool causes disgust and discomfort - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/22/pools.urinate.hygiene/index.html) I admit that I skimmed, but I didn’t see any more reasons. It said if you peed in the pool, it would make people have red eyes. The mechanism by which this happens is that the free chlorine binds to the organic molecules in your urine and makes chloramines, which irritate the eyes. See also: sweat, oil from your skin, suntan lotion, mold growing in your swimsuit. > [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > My neighborhood’s new pool is supposed to be opening in June; the HOA has sent everyone a list of rules. Number 4 on the list: “Training pants with snug fitting rubber pants or the newly design (sic) swim diapers are required for any infant/child not toilet trained. _ **Fecal contamination will cause the pool to close for a minimum of 24 hours while water treatment is conducted.** _” However, the letter sent with the list of rules states that “rule violations [including non-swim-diapered children] sometimes require that the pool be drained”. > > Just thought I would share. That’s just dumb, really. Not the part about the swim-diapered children. Proper swim diapers for little kids is a great idea. Closing the pool for 24 hours is overkill, and is more about making people feel like something is being done about the problem than doing something about the problem. Assuming it’s talking about an actual pool and not a wading/kiddie pool, draining the pool because someone let their kid in without a swim diaper is moronic. I suppose that’s what you get with HOAs. [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=3)