In order to protect pool swimmers, a national partnership including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Consumers League (NCL), Water Quality and Health Council (WQ&HC), American Chemistry Council (ACC) and Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) has teamed up to help pool-users prevent recreational water illnesses (RWIs). The partnership wants swimmers and parents to know that what you SEE, FEEL, SMELL and HEAR can help you recognize the difference between a healthy pool and a risky one.

Swimmers and parents should be aware of the signals that alert you that a pool may not be properly maintained. The partnership Web site, www.healthypools.org, offers "Sense"-able swimming tips to help you recognize the difference between a healthy pool and a risky one:

SIGHT: Look for water that's clean, clear and blue.

TOUCH: Check for tiles that feel smooth and clean.

SMELL: Make sure there are no strong odors.

SOUND: Listen for pool cleaning equipment.

Pool users can also use portable pool and spa testing strips to make sure your community pool has adequate chlorine and proper pH before swimming. Since a few germs can survive for long periods in even the best maintained pools, it is also vital for swimmers to follow CDC's Healthy Swimming behaviors, including: don't swim when ill with diarrhea, don't swallow pool water, take frequent bathroom breaks and practice good hygiene.

Please visit the partnership web site, www.healthypools.org.

The Blue Planet Run, an event designed to raise awareness and funds for increased access to safe drinking water, was formally launched earlier this month at the headquarters of the United Nation. The Blue Planet Run will take place every two years and alternate between northern and southern hemispheres race to raise funds and spread awareness about the need for safe drinking water.

The Blue Planet Run Foundation funds water project implementers - agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with experience, credibility and proven track records. The Foundation focuses on funding low-tech projects that are entirely sustainable and include the principles of safe drinking water, education, hygiene and sanitation.

Beginning in New York, the team will run along a route that includes the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan and Canada. Each runner will sprint 10 miles a day and batons will be passed at over 1,500 exchange points. The Run will end back in New York on September 4th.

An international team of 20 runners will run 24 hours a day in 10-mile individual relay segments for 95 days. The Blue Planet Run Foundation has already funded 135 projects in 13 countries and provided safe drinking water to 100,000 people. Currently, over one billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, according to the United Nations.

To read more about the Blue Planet Run, please visit, http://blueplanetrun.org/

Scientists at the University of Minnesota claim to have new evidence implicating beach sand as a reservoir for E. coli, according to a report published in the April 15 issue of Environmental Science & Technology.

The report cites several previous studies showing that E. coli and other bacteria indicating fecal contamination can accumulate and grow in beach sand. E. coli originating from several sources may survive and potentially replicate in sand and sediment, possibly increasing fecal counts found on beaches, the report states. The researchers point out that while most E. coli strains are harmless, some strains do cause gastrointestinal diseases in human. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, as well as more serious conditions.

The two-year study tracked seasonal variations in E. coli in water, sand, and sediment at the Duluth Boat Club Beach in Duluth-Superior Harbor on Lake Superior. It concluded that beach sand and sediment serve as sinks and sources for E. coli from humans and waterfowl that can contribute to beach closures.

To read the complete report, please go to:
Beach Erosion Cause E.coli Report

The country of Nepal has the worst drinking water and sanitation in South Asia, according to the Nepal Country Environment Analysis, a recent report issued by Winrock International. Currently, only 16 percent of the Nepalese population has access to safe drinking water.

Diarrhea, intestinal worms, gastritis typhoid and jaundice are the top five water-related health impacts in Nepal and are prevalent in both urban and rural areas throughout the country, the report stated. Inadequate protection of water source areas, open defection in water sources, poor protection of waterways, poor maintenance leading to cross leakage of sewers of water pipes in urban areas are some of the main cause of bacterial contamination.

More than 40 percent of people in Nepal live under the poverty line. According to the report the population most affected by poor water supply, poor quality water and poor sanitation is children. According to the Nepal Living Standard Survey, 39 percent of households have ready access to toilets, 12 percent have access to sanitary systems and 8 percent have access to proper garbage disposal facilities.

Various estimates have suggested that to improve the quality of drinking water and sanitation in Nepal would require a $2 billion investment. Until funding is identified, efforts to educate about proper precautions before drinking water, including cleaning of the pot, boiling, chlorination, filtration take even greater importance.

In The News-is a bi-weekly, online service from the Water Quality & Health Council.  The publication is updated every other Friday and can be viewed by logging onto www.waterandhealth.org.  To receive the publication via e-mail, please click here and enter your e-mail address to join our mailing list.