Incidence and persistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in whirlpools

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from seven commercial and two residential whirlpools that were treated with halogens. None of the commercial whirlpools was constantly maintained at appropriate disinfection levels. Superchlorination or the draining, cleaning, disinfection, and refilling of whirlpools markedly reduced densities of P. aeruginosa in whirlpool water, but the bacterial populations were rapidly reestablished (less than 10(3) cells per ml) when disinfectant concentrations decreased below recommended levels (chlorine, 3.0 ppm [3.0 micrograms/ml]; bromine, 6.0 ppm). P. aeruginosa in the water was replenished from various sources, such as hoses used to fill the whirlpool and the biofilm in the filter and piping of the whirlpool systems. Daily monitoring and adjustment of chemical characteristics (regardless of bather load) were essential for controlling densities of P. aeruginosa.