Stubborn bacteria forces week-long closure of Kangasala swimming pool

A persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria outbreak has shut down the Kuohu swimming pool in Kangasala, Finland, for over a week, with extensive disinfection efforts still underway, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The facility closed on 16 April after routine water samples revealed the bacteria, which can cause infections such as ear inflammation or skin rashes, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Initial detections on 10 April had led to partial pool closures, but the full scale of contamination prompted a complete shutdown.

Reija Kolehmainen, managing director of Kuohu, told Yle that the bacteria has proven more resilient than expected. The pool will remain closed at least until Saturday while crews conduct shock chlorination and deep cleaning. New water and surface samples have been taken, with results expected Friday.

“Managing the situation takes time, as enhanced cleaning and chlorination proceed in stages,” Kolehmainen said via email. The source of the bacteria remains unconfirmed, though it may have entered through multiple routes.

The operation has included thorough scrubbing of all wet areas, emptying equipment storage, disinfecting shared gear, and even cleaning dry spaces and maintenance tools. Wheelchairs, walking aids, and rollators were also sanitized. Minor repairs to pool tiles and floor drains were carried out during the closure.

Kolehmainen noted that while such bacterial findings occur occasionally in Finnish pools, Kuohu has no prior record of similar incidents. The prolonged shutdown has also had financial repercussions, given the facility’s high daily visitor numbers.

Officials urge swimmers to improve hygiene by showering before entering pools or saunas and ensuring personal items like flip-flops are clean. The pool will reopen only once test results confirm the water is safe.