Feces in public pool forces 700-ton water change in Korea — and experts warn urine is no better
A view of the Yeongju Indoor Swimming Pool / Courtesy of Yeongju City
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A public indoor swimming pool in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, was temporarily shut down after human feces were discovered floating in the water, sparking public outrage and a full-scale water replacement effort.
According to Yeongju City officials, the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on July 15, when a visitor to the Yeongju Indoor Swimming Pool in Giheung-dong reported seeing feces in the pool. Staff immediately responded and confirmed the presence of human waste on the water’s surface.
The pool was closed that day, and about one-third of the water was drained for overnight filtration and disinfection. However, public complaints quickly escalated. Patrons demanded a full water replacement, saying, “How can we swim in water that had feces?” and “It’s disgusting.”
In response, the facility was fully shut down on July 19, and the entire pool was drained and refilled with 700 tons of tap water. As Yeongju’s only public indoor pool, the replacement water was supplied via the city’s municipal water system, and the associated costs were covered by the city budget.
Authorities have not been able to identify the person responsible. A thorough review of closed-circuit television footage failed to yield any conclusive evidence. As a gesture of goodwill, Yeongju City is offering one week of free swim lessons to registered learners affected by the closure.
Although rare, fecal contamination in pools can pose serious health risks. Water tainted by feces can carry pathogens such as hepatitis A and norovirus. Parasites residing in human or animal intestines may also be transmitted, causing symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Urine also a concern: Chlorine reactions can cause respiratory problems
While defecation is less common, urination in pools — or entering the water without showering — remains a frequent issue. These behaviors, often dismissed as minor, can have serious health consequences.
Chlorine-based disinfectants are widely used to sanitize pool water. When combined with nitrogen-containing substances found in human sweat or urine, chlorine can produce toxic byproducts. One such compound, trichloramine, is known to cause acute respiratory illness and damage the cell barrier in the lungs, increasing vulnerability to allergens and triggering asthma. Another byproduct, cyanogen chloride, is a toxic chemical used in chemical warfare and pesticides.
How to stay safe
To stay healthy while enjoying the water, experts recommend using facilities that conduct proper water quality testing and maintaining personal hygiene. Swimmers should always shower thoroughly before entering the water and wash their ears, eyes, anus, and mouth with clean water after swimming. Applying moisturizer afterward helps prevent skin dryness.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top healthcare and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.