Microbiological quality and microbial risk assessment (QMRA) in the swimming pools of hotels in Antalya

Swimming pools are artificial aquatic environments used for recreational purposes and can provide favorable conditions for the proliferation of various pathogenic microorganisms. This study aimed to protect adults and children against microbial risks in pool waters and to develop preventive measures by applying the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) model. In this context, physicochemical parameters such as pH, water temperature, and free chlorine were measured in the samples throughout the tourism season to determine infection risk using the QMRA model, E. coli, I.Enterococcus, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. were quantified by incubation on selective media. The enumeration results were analyzed using the exponential dose–response model within the QMRA framework. The QMRA results revealed that microbial contamination risk increases significantly during the summer months due to rising water temperatures and higher bather loads, posing a critical threat to public health. Furthermore, the concentrations of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus exceeded the national regulatory limits for pool water quality. The findings indicate that regular microbiological monitoring alone is insufficient and highlight the need for risk-based surveillance and preventive control strategies. In particular, inadequacies in chlorination and disinfection processes were found to enhance the infection potential of microorganisms such as E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. Therefore, to safeguard public health, it is recommended that swimming pools undergo regular inspections, microbiological limits be closely monitored, and flexible control strategies be developed in relation to user density.