In the case of pool fouling due to fecal matter, what is the chlorine level that should be maintained during cleaning?

Maintaining a chlorine level of up to 8 ppm during cleaning after pool fouling due to fecal matter is vital for effective disinfection. Fecal contamination poses serious health risks, as it can introduce harmful bacteria and pathogens into the water. To ensure a safe swimming environment, an elevated chlorine concentration is necessary to rapidly eliminate these contaminants.

By increasing the chlorine level to up to 8 ppm, pool operators can effectively achieve a higher level of disinfection, killing pathogens that may be present in the water. This concentration is above the typical operational range for regular pool maintenance but is appropriate during an incident of fecal contamination to ensure the safety of swimmers upon re-entry.

Once the disinfection process is complete and the pool is cleared of contaminants, the chlorine levels can be brought back down to the normal operating range of 1-3 ppm for ongoing maintenance. Lower levels are not sufficient to deal with fecal contamination due to the potential for pathogens to survive, which makes the higher level of up to 8 ppm essential during the cleaning and disinfection process.