What To Do If Somebody Pees In the Pool?
What to do if somebody pees in the pool? So here’s the thing. Somebody probably already has. Peeing in pools is more common than you would think. Sorry to be the bearer of this news, but it is not unusual to find levels of urine in most swimming pools. Prevention of the issue is the logical solution, but that is more difficult than one might believe. So rather than asking what to do if somebody pees in your pool, it might make more sense to proceed as if somebody already has.
Is peeing in the pool bad?
Yes. While it may seem harmless, urinating in a pool has real consequences for water quality and swimmer health. Urine introduces urea and other compounds that combine with chlorine to form chloramines — irritants linked to eye burning, skin reactions, and in poorly ventilated indoor pools, breathing discomfort. It also degrades the chlorine available to sanitize the water. Pool operators recommend showering before swimming and using the restroom to help maintain safe, clean water for all swimmers.
How long does pee stay in the pool?
Urine doesn’t simply disappear once it enters a pool. Chlorine breaks down urine over time, but the process can take days — and in heavily used pools, the byproducts may linger even longer. Compounds like urea react with chlorine to form chloramines, which are responsible for the characteristic “pool smell” and can irritate eyes and skin. Regular shocking and proper filtration help manage buildup, but the best solution is preventing it in the first place.
Does Chlorine Kill Urine?
Prevention magazine explains that chlorine is a powerful chemical that needs a certain pH level to do its job properly. When somebody pees in your pool, that pH level is altered. Chlorine and urine combine to form by-products called chloramines, which among other things, use up the chlorine which is better used to kill germs and bacteria.
That typical odor we think of as chlorine? It may even bring back nostalgic memories of high school water polo or afternoons at the community pool. Well, it isn’t really the chlorine we are smelling. It’s pee and chlorine. Chlorine on its own doesn’t really have much of an odor. A YouTuber named Mark Rober put together an informative video, “How To Measure How Much Pee is In Your Pool” which is both fascinating and eye-opening.
In a worst case scenario, when urine combines with chlorine, a chemical reaction can occur that is quite unhealthy for us humans. Urine is made up of organic waste compounds such as urea which, when combined with chlorine, produces cyanogen chloride, an extremely harmful compound. Cyanogen chloride is classified as a chemical warfare agent, causing lung irritation and choking.
Don’t Freak Out
Studies have shown that the typical residential swimming pool may contain up to two gallons of urine. Before you run off to drain your pool immediately, let’s examine that information. The fact is that even though traces of urine are found in most pools, the parts per million are so low that the danger of death is slim to none. You are more likely to die from the other users of the pool murdering you once they know you have peed in the pool they are sharing with you.
What happens if you pee in the pool?
When urine enters pool water, it reacts with chlorine to produce chloramines — chemical compounds that reduce the effectiveness of chlorine as a disinfectant. This reaction can cause eye redness, skin irritation, and respiratory discomfort for swimmers. It also depletes the available “free chlorine” that would otherwise be killing bacteria and other pathogens, making the water less sanitary for everyone in the pool.
What To Do About It?
It is important to address the issue of peeing in the pool head-on and educate your pool users. A recent study done by the University of Alberta showed that a community pool can have as much as 8-20 gallons of pee in it. Let that sink in for a moment. Your average backyard pool can have 2-3 gallons. Frank conversations with your pool users are definitely in order. Here are a few preventative measures you could take:
- Have the Pee in the Pool conversation.
- Put up reminder signs that peeing in the pool is more than bad manners, it is unhealthy.
- Shower before entering the pool. Sweat also contains uric acid, which, combined with chlorine, has a similar reaction to urine. Rinse off before diving in.
- Encourage kids to use the bathroom before getting in the pool.
- Have frequent bathroom breaks when using the pool.
- Dispel the myth that chlorine counteracts any urine in the pool. Precisely the opposite happens. Educate your pool users.
What Else Can Help?
- A proper balance of good filtration, adequate circulation, and the right balance of chemicals can go a long way in keeping the problem at bay. Test your chemical balance often. Make sure your pump and filter are up to date and functioning properly, and that you understand the correct chemical levels for maintaining a sanitary pool.
- The addition of specialty chemicals such as enzymes can boost the efficiency of chlorine. Enzymes can work to break down organic matter such as urea and noticeably improve the water quality.
- Secondary disinfection systems such as Ozone and UV can reinforce the sanitizing effects of chlorine. UV deactivates micro-organisms, and Ozone continuously “shocks” the pool.
Clearly, prevention is the number one solution to avoid having urine in your swimming pool. Even the Center for Disease Control has issued articles and Twitter tweets cautioning (pleading with) people not to pee in swimming pools. Nevertheless, even after education and everyone’s best intentions, we recommend taking a risk management approach to dealing with urine in your pool. Assume it is there, in whatever minimal parts per million, and address the issue. Don’t just wonder what to do if somebody pees in the pool. Take preventative measures and rest easier.
Aqua Pools is your one-stop shop for all things pool-related. Our professional team can address all your questions and concerns regarding an aggressive approach to maintaining the cleanest, most pristine pool in the Chicagoland area. For your convenience, you can also stock up on your pool chemicals online. Call or stop by today and let us see what we can do for you.
Peeing In The Pool FAQ
How long does pee stay in the pool?
Urine does not simply disappear immediately after someone pees in the pool. Pool chemicals gradually break down contaminants over time, and the speed depends on factors like chlorine levels, filtration, pool size, and circulation. In a properly balanced pool, sanitizer and filtration systems continuously work to neutralize contaminants and maintain safe water conditions.
Should you shock the pool after someone pees in it?
In most residential pools, a small amount of urine does not require draining the water. However, pool owners may choose to shock the pool if there has been heavy use, multiple contamination incidents, or if chlorine levels have already dropped below recommended ranges. Testing and balancing the water afterward is always recommended.
Can urine in a pool make you sick?
Urine itself is typically low risk for spreading disease, but it can contribute to unhealthy pool chemistry when combined with sweat, bacteria, and other contaminants. Poorly maintained pools with improper sanitizer levels may increase the risk of recreational water illnesses and irritation.
Why does a pool smell strongly like chlorine after someone pees in it?
A strong chlorine smell is often caused by chloramines rather than too much chlorine. Chloramines form when chlorine reacts with contaminants like urine, sweat, oils, and body products. A clean, balanced pool usually has very little odor.
What should you do if a child pees in the pool?
If a child pees in the pool, remove swimmers temporarily and test the water chemistry. In most cases, maintaining proper chlorine and pH levels is enough to keep the water safe. Pool owners should also run the filtration system continuously and follow CDC pool maintenance guidelines.
Does chlorine remove urine from pool water?
Chlorine helps break down contaminants in pool water, including compounds found in urine, but it works best when combined with proper filtration and balanced water chemistry. Maintaining the correct chlorine and pH levels is essential for keeping pool water clean and safe.
