Splash Pads Contaminated with Feces Linked to 10,000 Illnesses — and Swim Diapers Don't Prevent Sickness, CDC Says

Health officials are warning of waterborne disease risks associated with splash pads and fecal matter after finding that more than 10,000 children and adults have been sickened over 25 years.

A new study — published Dec. 3 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report —  analyzes 60 waterborne disease outbreaks associated with splash pads from 23 states and Puerto Rico between 1997 and 2022.

The CDC found that since the introduction of splash pads 25 years ago, the popular water areas have been linked to 10,611 infections. Of those affected, 152 people were hospitalized and 99 people required emergency room visits. There were no deaths reported.

The parasite cryptosporidium, known as crypto, was the most common cause of waterborne disease outbreaks associated with these recreational spaces, with 91% of cases. It can be transmitted by ingesting water contaminated with feces from those infected.

The crypto parasite causes cryptosporidiosis, a watery diarrhea that can persist for up to three weeks. It mostly affects children aged 1 to 4 and young children not yet toilet trained and spend time in wading pools and water parks, the CDC says.

Additionally, the agency says that young children can carry as much as 10 grams of feces, and swim diapers do not prevent fecal contamination of recreational water.

Related: Brain-Eating Amoeba Contracted at Country Club Splash Pad Leads to Death of Arkansas Resident

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The main method of keeping splash pads free from infectious viruses is chlorine. However, the CDC says that it is difficult to maintain an adequate amount of chlorine in splash pads because the jets spraying water around aerosolizes the chlorine, which decreases its concentration. Additionally, crypto is tolerant to chlorine and isn’t very effective in combatting outbreaks.

To avoid these outbreaks, health officials encourage closely monitoring children, especially those who sit or stand directly on top of water spouts.

“Recommended user behaviors in splash pads and other recreational water venues include not getting in the water if ill with diarrhea until two weeks after it has stopped, not swallowing the water, taking young children on bathroom breaks or checking diapers or swim diapers every hour, and, if needed, changing them away from the water,” study authors wrote. “Because splash pads are intended for young children, these efforts need to be oriented toward and reach caregivers of young children.”

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