Splash pads have become popular attractions in parks worldwide, providing families with small children a cheap way to cool off during scorching heat. However, according to a recent CDC report, they’ve been linked to at least 60 waterborne disease outbreaks since 1997.
The main culprit behind these outbreaks is the spread of fecal matter into the environment when bottoms are exposed to water. This is particularly true for splash pads designed for children under five, who may not have mastered toileting skills or wear diapers that don’t prevent contamination.
Filtration and chlorine treatment are common practices at many US splash pads, but the report found a significant gap in these measures. Cryptosporidium, a parasitic protist causing respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, can evade these systems. Children are particularly vulnerable to exposure due to their tendency to ingest recreational water or place open mouths on sprayed water.
The study, which analyzed data from 1997-2022, found that Cryptosporidium was responsible for over 80% of all cases and hospitalizations. The CDC recommends a set of user behaviors to prevent future outbreaks, including:
* Not getting in the water with diarrhea
* Avoiding swallowing the water
* Taking young children on bathroom breaks or checking diapers every hour
* Not standing or sitting above splash pad jets
By implementing these measures and increasing water testing frequency, families can enjoy safe splashing while also helping to combat climate change on a budget.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/community-splash-pads-come-with-a-disgusting-health-concern-cdc-finds