The 5 most dreaded words a pool owner ever wants to hear: “Someone pooped in the pool!!” It doesn’t happen often but when someone poops in the pool, you need a plan. The short answer is that you are going to shock the pool and keep the level of shock at a high level for a prescribed period of time. We have put together a quick reference guide to help you know what to do if you do find poop in the pool. 

What to do if someone poops in the pool?

The pool should be cleared of swimmers immediately. Then, removal of the fecal matter using a net or scoop — never vacuuming, as this can spread contamination. From there, the response depends on whether the incident involved formed stool or diarrhea. Formed stool requires raising free chlorine to 2 ppm and maintaining a pH of 7.5 or lower for at least 25 minutes. A diarrheal incident is far more serious and requires raising chlorine to 20 ppm and holding for over 8 hours before the pool is safe to reopen. Local health guidelines should always be followed.

What happens if you swim in a pool with poop?

Fecal matter in a pool is a serious contamination event. Unlike pee, solid waste can carry harmful pathogens — including E. coli, Salmonella, and parasites like Cryptosporidium — that spread quickly in pool water. Standard chlorine levels may neutralize some bacteria within minutes, but Cryptosporidium in particular is highly chlorine-resistant and can survive for days. Anyone swimming in contaminated water risks ingesting these pathogens, especially if they swallow any water.

Can you get sick from poop in the pool?

Yes. Swallowing even a small amount of water contaminated with fecal matter can cause recreational water illness (RWI), with symptoms including diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. The most common culprit is Cryptosporidium, a parasite that is resistant to chlorine and can cause prolonged illness — particularly in children, pregnant women, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Symptoms may not appear for days after exposure, making it difficult to connect the illness to the swim.

Is all poop handled the same?

There are two types of “fecal incidents” you may encounter. Studies show that there is a difference in the bacterial contents of formed poop as opposed to diarrhea. The chances of the dreaded Crypto parasite being found in a formed stool are very unlikely while it is much more likely that it could be found in diarrhea. The CDC reports that diarrhea is the most common illness reported for outbreaks in recreational water. Both types of fecal incidences can be handled without having to drain the pool. However, because of the different risk factors, there are two different procedures for handling formed stools and diarrhea stools in the pool.

Formed fecal material is the easier of the two incidences to handle. The CDC recommends that if you find formed poop in the pool you should treat for Giardia, E-Coli, and bacteria. The Crypto parasite found in diarrhea is much more tolerant of chlorine and requires considerably higher chlorine levels and a longer exposure period to eradicate.

Prevention

Clearly, prevention of the issue is highly preferred over having to deal with the clean-up of fecal material found in the swimming pool. All swimmers should be cautioned not to use the pool if they have or have recently had a stomach virus or diarrhea. Anyone having had Crypto should stay out of the pool for two weeks after their diarrhea symptoms have ceased. All kids should be reminded to use the bathroom prior to entering the pool and to take frequent bathroom breaks. Tots in diapers should be checked hourly and changed in an area away from the pool.

Aqua Pools hopes this guide will prove helpful to you in case someone poops in the pool. Even though we hope you never need this information, It is a good idea to keep it on hand, just in case. We don’t want you to panic and wonder “What do I do if someone poops in the pool?” 

Aqua Pools is your number one source for stocking up on the BioGuard® chemical supplies you need to not only keep your pool water balanced but to counteract the dreaded “poops in the pool” incident. If after treating the mishap, you are still concerned about water quality, you can bring in a sample of your pool water to us for testing. We will conduct the test and make recommendations on what you may need to restore your pool to its former pristine condition. 

 

Poop In The Pool FAQ

What happens if you poop in the pool?

Fecal matter in a pool is a serious contamination event that requires immediate action. All swimmers should exit the water right away, and the waste should be removed using a net or scoop — never a vacuum, as that can spread contamination further. From there, the cleanup process depends on whether the incident involved formed stool or diarrhea. Formed stool requires raising free chlorine to 2 ppm at a pH of 7.5 or lower for at least 25 minutes. A diarrheal incident is far more serious, requiring chlorine levels of 20 ppm held for over 8 hours before the pool is safe to reopen. Unlike urine, solid waste can carry dangerous pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella, and the chlorine-resistant parasite Cryptosporidium.

Does chlorine kill poop in a pool?

Chlorine can neutralize many of the bacteria found in fecal matter, but it is not a complete solution on its own — and it has real limitations. Standard chlorine levels at normal pH will handle most bacteria like E. coli within minutes, but Cryptosporidium, a parasite commonly found in diarrhea, is highly chlorine-resistant and can survive in properly treated pool water for days. Eliminating Crypto requires elevating chlorine to 20 ppm and maintaining that level for more than 8 hours. This is why proper removal of fecal material before treatment — combined with correct pH and sustained chlorine levels — is essential to fully addressing a fecal incident in the pool.

Can you get pink eye from poop in a pool?

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) can result from swimming in contaminated pool water, including water affected by fecal matter. Bacteria present in fecal incidents — such as E. coli — are known causes of bacterial conjunctivitis, and exposure through the eyes while swimming creates a direct transmission pathway. Beyond pink eye, swallowing even a small amount of contaminated water can cause recreational water illnesses with symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Children, pregnant women, and anyone with a compromised immune system are at the highest risk of serious illness from fecal contamination in pool water.