Why Swimming In Still Water Isn't Safe For You?

The transitional season between monsoon to winter is pretty and has a nice calming chilly weather, but it can also be dangerous if you are not taking care of your health well. Monsoon season is when it rains heavily and the water is collected in one place, this could mean that the water remains there throughout, even when fall arrives. Furthermore, many water bodies, including ponds or swimming pools which are not in use in the winter may be kept still, without any functions being carried out. Should you jump in that puddle of collected water from the monsoon? Or should you dive into that pond or swimming pool which is kept stagnant as the winter will soon arrive?

The answer is no.

Why Should You Avoid Stagnant Water?

When water is still, it can become contaminated in less than 24 hours. So why does movement in water gives us so much protection against bacteria in the water? One of the reasons is bacterial biofilms, which are attached to the surface and form a sludge slime-type construct which then protects itself and also harbors more bacteria. This can be released and form even more biofilms. However, when we catch it early, it can be reversible and the biofilm can be disrupted, which is what the water flow does.

Apart from this, mosquitos also lay eggs in still water. Even though their larvae are not directly dangerous, the mosquitos hatch the eggs there because of all of the food available for them in the water, which could be harmful to us.

Stagnant waters can also be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and parasites, including dangerous pathogens like brain eating amoebas (Naegleria fowleri), which can be fatal if they get to the nose. When water remains still, without any proper circulation or chemical treatment, it allows such microorganisms to thrive. This is why, warm, untreated stagnant water, often found in ponds, lakes, or poorly maintained swimming pools can be risky.

Other bacteria such as E. coli or Legionella can also breed in stagnant water that can be a threat to our health.

Effects On Skin

Stagnant water can also lead to skin infections. Still water can become contaminated with harmful pollutants, like chemicals, pesticides and animal waste. When you come in contact with such water, it can cause you skin irritation and rashes.

This could be caused by skin irritation or allergic reactions to the specific substances present in the water. Inflammation, redness and persistent itching are common signs.

It can also lead to vector-borne infections or even leptospirosis. This happens when a person is in contact with the water which has animal feces in it. Often floodwater may contain sewage and toxins in it.