Personal Injury Law

How Many Hotel/Motel Swimming Pools Are Cryto Breeding Grounds?

We doubt if many readers are going to be looking for a hotel or motel in Fort Dodge, Iowa.   However, if you are, avoid the check-in line at the Quality Inn.   It does not look like much (see picture), but there is a swimming pool inside for 96 room, 37-year old hotel/motel.  For sure, do not go in the pool!

The Webster County Board of Health met on Wednesday night to discuss what to do about the Quality Inn.   Its pool has failed cleanliness tests six times since December, but the hotel management appears to care less.   The Fort Dodge Messenger reports:

According to Webster County Sanitarian Gary Boerner, management of Quality Inn, at 2001 Highway 169 in Fort Dodge, has failed to close their indoor pool and spa, despite failing numerous tests to determine its cleanliness. Boerner said that he has visited the establishment on at least six different occasions since December. The most recent visit was Wednesday.

''When this really became an issue was when the softball tournament was in town,'' Boerner told the board. ''I went out to Quality Inn to make sure they were cooperating correctly. I had the state inspector with me that day as well. We walked in there, there were the young kids swimming in the pool, I took a test and discovered that there was absolutely no chlorine in either the pool or the spa.''

After explaining the situation to management and telling them to close the pool, Boerner made two signs declaring the pool closed by order of the Webster County Public Health sanitarian. He then placed one sign at the front of the hotel and one at the entrance into the pool.

A visit the next day found the signs taken down and the pool open for business.

The health board referred the issue to the County Attorney for enforcement action.  Go here for more.

Full post as published by Cryptosporidium Blog on August 14, 2008 (boomark / email).