Go swim in your toilet Why people in Phoenix no longer use public pools – even at resorts

Last summer the cities around Phoenix closed many public pools due to cryptosporidium, or crypto, in the water. Here’s how Wikipedia describes it: “It is spread through the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated water; the main symptom is self-limiting diarrhea in people with intact immune systems. In immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, the symptoms are particularly severe and often fatal. Cryptosporidium is the organism most commonly isolated in HIV positive patients presenting with diarrhea.”

Just when you think it’s safe to go back in the water, it is happening again this year. “'Fecal incident' shuts down pool” the Arizona Republic headline screamed June 22, 2009. “In an incident reminiscent of last year's crypto outbreak, Phoenix officials on Monday shut down the Sunnyslope swimming pool due to fecal contamination.

“No other pools were closed.

“Pool users received phone calls and voice messages on Sunday saying that a "fecal incident" had occurred over the weekend.”

In 2005, Phoenix (city) residents woke up to a caution not to drink city water because it had “turbidity.” A fancy term for “fecal incident” in the city’s water supply. The scientist issuing the alert was fired.

When it is 20 degrees below in your community, and you want to move here, do you really want to put up with all the crap?