The CDC says that “there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water areas. Proper operation and disinfection (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine2) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in water.” This is great news with only one caveat, and that is proper pool operation and disinfection.
As long as pool water is maintained at between 1 and 4 parts per million free chlorine and the pH between 7.2 and 7.8, most viruses will not survive in water. Keeping those values well within those acceptable ranges is the challenge for pool operators and backyard pool owners alike.
CDC guidelines recommend testing the chlorine level and pH of pool water at least twice per day, and more often during heavy use. But a recent survey of over 2,100 American adults found that 23% of pool owners do not test chlorine and pH more often than once every two weeks. Bottom line: if you want to ensure COVID-19 and other waterborne pathogens cannot be transmitted in pool water, make sure someone is testing that water frequently!
The following articles come from the Water Quality and Health Council.