July 16, 2024
Media Contact: Bri Marcum, briauna.marcum@vdh.virginia.gov or Dr. Scott Davis, sdavis@farmvilleva.com
Piedmont Health District, Town of Farmville Remind Community Members of Splash Pad Safety
FARMVILLE, Va. – The Piedmont Health District (PHD), in collaboration with the Town of Farmville, want to remind the community of safety tips as the Splash Pad, located at 1630 West Third Street, reopens today, July 16.
The town and health district offer the following safety tips for Splash Pad visitors:
- Do not swallow the water.
- Wash your hands, preferably with soap and water, before eating and after using the bathroom.
- Do not use the Splash Pad if you have had vomiting or diarrhea within the past two weeks.
- Do not use the Splash Pad if you have had any cold, flu or respiratory virus symptoms within the last 24 hours.
- Do not use the Splash Pad if you have any open wounds, boils or other skin infections.
- Check all swim diapers regularly and bring all children to the restroom on consistent breaks every hour.
- No animals should be brought onto the Splash Pad.
- All children must be supervised by an adult.
Last week, PHD began investigating reports of gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals after visiting the Splash Pad. Norovirus and Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) have been identified through laboratory testing. EAEC is a less severe type of E. coli associated with acute or persistent diarrhea in children and adults spread through the fecal-oral route and commonly found in contaminated food or water. While a source of the illness hasn’t been identified, all the individuals reported visiting the Splash Pad on a single day, June 29.
E. coli is a type of coliform bacteria, commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. Water from the Splash Pad was tested on June 26 and July 11 by the Town of Farmville, and the results were provided to PHD. The water test results showed no evidence of coliform bacteria.
“Organisms that cause disease are found anywhere that people gather, including pools and splashpads,” said Piedmont District Epidemiologist Jesse Alger, MPH, a-IPC. “We want to remind community members about the importance of following appropriate steps to help stop the spread of germs. We are grateful to the Town of Farmville for being so cooperative throughout this investigation.”
The town wants to remind people that the water comes from the town water supply, which is treated at the water treatment plant. The water treatment plant complies with all drinking water standards set by the Virginia
Department of Health (VDH). The Splash Pad has a 5,000-gallon water tank that recirculates water through a process similar to swimming pools and includes UV light disinfection, sand filtering and chlorine treatment. The gauges in the pump house of the Splash Pad provide pH levels and oxidation-reduction potential levels (ORP). In addition to monitoring these levels, a pH test is conducted at least once a day.
“The Town of Farmville has spent the last two weeks working with the manufacturer of pumps for the elements on the Splash Pad and check valve on the storage tank to make sure it is operating properly. Before reopening, the water treatment plant tested the recirculated water for bacteria, and none was found along with testing the pH level. I appreciate Dr. Maria Almond and her staff for working with the town to make sure we are safely operating the Splash Pad,” said Town Manager Scott Davis, LP. D., ICMA-CM.
The VDH does not regulate splashpads unless they are located at a hotel, campground or summer camp. However, if you or your child are feeling ill after visiting the Splash Pad or any body of water, please seek medical attention and call the health department at 434-392-3984 x 145.
For more information on splash pad safety, visit the VDH website (www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/environmental-health-services/swim-healthy/splash-pad-safety/). If you have any questions, contact the Piedmont Health District at PiedmontInfo@vdh.virginia.gov or 434-392-8187 x 137, and the Town of Farmville at sdavis@farmvilleva.com or 434-392-5686.
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