How often should high-touch areas be cleaned in an aquatic facility?

Cleaning high-touch areas frequently, ideally every hour, is crucial for maintaining a safe and hygienic environment in an aquatic facility. High-touch areas, such as handrails, door handles, shower knobs, and poolside furniture, are surfaces that people frequently come into contact with and pose a higher risk for the transmission of pathogens, including viruses and bacteria.

Regular cleaning of these surfaces reduces the likelihood of illness among facility users. This practice is particularly significant in environments where people share spaces and facilities, as it helps mitigate the spread of infections, especially during peak usage times. Facilities are often busy with swimmers and visitors, which increases the number of microbial contaminants on these surfaces. Implementing hourly cleaning routines ensures that these areas are continuously maintained, thereby enhancing the overall health and safety of the facility.

In contrast, less frequent cleaning schedules, such as once a day or every three hours, may not be sufficient to ensure cleanliness and could leave high-touch areas vulnerable to contamination for extended periods. Additionally, relying solely on visual assessments for cleanliness could lead to a false sense of security, as some pathogens may not be visible to the naked eye. Regular, scheduled cleaning is therefore essential to uphold sanitation standards in an aquatic setting.