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The city of Plano Health Department swimming pool safety and inspection program has been growing and evolving since 1992. Currently, five environmental health specialists inspect 370 permitted commercial swimming pools. The environmental health specialists, who are all well trained and are Certified Pool Operators by the National Swimming Pool Foundation, inspect each facility twice during the summer season. The department considers quality training for both inspectors and operators a priority. Violation rates have been variable across the program, but improved operator training is proving successful in many areas. The program also plays a role in swimming pool construction by providing plan review services and construction inspections. Increased involvement in construction and design has significantly reduced problems and improved compliance with new pools. This has resulted in a higher level of service and swimmer safety. Additionally, a net drop in chemistry violations has been shown over the last three years. The department is constantly evaluating safety in public and semi-public pools in Plano in an effort to provide a maximum level of swimmer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On Saturday June 1, 2013, the Galveston County Health District's (GCHD) epidemiology program received a report that 50 members of an area swim team "A" had developed a gastrointestinal illness. However, after further investigation we learned that pool users who became ill were residents of both Galveston County and Harris County. The swimming pool these swimmers used is located in, Galveston County, Texas, in city "A" and is inspected and issued its permit by the GCHD. However, part of city "A's" boundaries are within the southern part of Harris County. The pool is an eight-lane pool with a maximum pool depth of 5 feet and pool capacity of 235 patrons; this pool also has a baby pool attached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]