Back In The Swim Comstock Pool Reopens After Fecal Scare

Wed., Aug. 2, 2000

By Mike Roarke mikero@spokesman.com

Comstock Park Pool reopened Tuesday after weekend vandalism forced a shutdown all day Monday - the hottest day of the year.

Officials believe six or more vandals hopped the fence at the South Hill pool and defecated in the water, causing concern about the possibility of disease.

Although the incident prompted health questions, recreation officials say controlled environments such as public pools generally are safer than lakes and rivers, which go unregulated.

Both the city and county test chlorine levels and the pH balance in pool water each hour. Diatom-based filters help remove debris.

If significant amounts of bacteria are discovered, employees can clear a pool and begin cleanup right away.

“You’re going to find more bacteria in a lake or river than in a pool,” said Rip Horsey, aquatic supervisor for the city of Spokane, which operates seven pools.

The four pools run by Spokane County have been shut down about 12 times since June due to feces and vomit, said Randy Johnson, recreation coordinator for the county Parks and Recreation Department.

“It’s a great frustration to staff and the public,” he said.

The Spokane Regional Health District usually monitors cleanups.

Along with the pools, Johnson also manages three lake swimming spots, where water quality is not monitored regularly.

“It’s a risk,” said Carl Nuechterlein, water quality section manager for the state Department of Ecology. “There really isn’t anybody in the state who tests these things.”

Last year, about 30 people became sick after swimming at Battle Ground Lake in southwestern Washington. In 1998, about 200 swimmers near Bremerton picked up a virus that caused vomiting and diarrhea.

This year, no significant bacteria problems have been reported in the region’s lakes and rivers, officials said.

But the Spokane River has problems beyond bacteria.

Mike LaScuola, of the Spokane Regional Health District, has posted signs along the Centennial Trail warning swimmers about high levels of lead and arsenic.

LaScuola said runoff from old mines in the Silver Valley of North Idaho could affect small children more than others - if at all. There have been no reports of children or adults developing health problems from Spokane River sediments.

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