Hotubs Microbiology 101

In order to have safe and healthy hotubs, it's crucial to have some knowledge about the microbiology associated with them. Unfortunately, the same reasons we love hotubs, is the same reason that pose a threat to our health (if not taken care of properly). Because your indoor Jacuzzi is consistently warm and wet, it is the perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. Warm water opens up skin pores, which allows the microorganisms to enter our bodies while in a Jacuzzi tub and cause harm to our skin and eyes. Plus, hotubs are much smaller than swimming pools and use much less water which makes it easier for the bacteria to manifest in the Jacuzzi tub. While our bodies can be pretty resilient to most of these microorganisms, some become abundant enough to cause infections and irritations so they should be investigated at the first sign of indoor Jacuzzi water contamination.

The most frequent of these organisms include: viruses, bacteria, protozoa's and fungi. They can easily be transferred into the Jacuzzi tub water through people, animals or even the air and these germs have the capability of causing disease. If not treated, they grow in the pipes and filters of your indoor jacuzzi. The most notorious perpetrators that reside in hotubs are known as Pseudomonas. These are the organisms responsible for irritation and rashes on the eyes, skin, ears and respiratory tract. Interestingly enough, a lot of people that think they are having a bad reaction to a balancing chemical, are really suffering from a bacteria infection from their Jacuzzi tub.

Pseudomonas bacteria create a condition known as Folliculitis, and is often seen where Jacuzzi tub sanitation is not being properly used. The most common symptom is an itchy rash or small reddish bumps, that look like bug bites. But this is extremely important because it can develop into more serious problems. This condition usually clears without scarring, but it may recur if the infected indoor jacuzzi is not properly cleaned and sanitized.

If the jacuzzi tub water is contaminated and not immediately treated, these bacteria multiply at extremely fast rates and can cause two types of outbreaks. The first outbreak is the more common of the two which is called transitory Pseudomonas contamination. Pseudomonas are natural germs that live on human skin, so when a significant amount of people join together in the Jacuzzi tub, the sanitizer can be temporarily used up, thus allowing the bacteria to spread throughout the hotubs. However, once the people leave the indoor jacuzzi, the sanitizer goes right back to work killing the bacteria. The second type of outbreak happens when the Pseudomonas have actually gained residence in the hotubs water due to the lack of sanitizer upkeep. If left abandoned long enough, the bacteria create a layer of algae on the indoor Jacuzzi that shields it from the sanitizer all together.

Other precautionary measures you can take to prevent hotubs contamination are:

• Clean your hotubs filter regularly
• Avoid using hotubs if you have an open cut or wound
• Practice good hygiene by showering before entering your Jacuzzi tub
• Keep note of how many people are utilizing the indoor Jacuzzi and chemically balance water when needed
• Keep waterline and water surfaces as clean as possible
• Each time you drain your Jacuzzi tub, fully clean the hot tub shell
• Maintain proper pH, calcium, alkalinity, and heavy metal levels

Fortunately, there are sanitizers, spa shockers, and ozonators that protect your hotubs water from becoming contaminated. But keep in mind, just like the water balancing chemicals, these require periodic maintenance to ensure a healthy Jacuzzi tub for you and your friends.