New York requires UV systems on sprayparks

Pool & Spa News, May 8, 2006 by Rin-rin Yu

In response to a serious cryptosporidium outbreak, the New York Health Department has issued a controversial emergency code that requires ultraviolet disinfection systems at sprayparks in that state.

The code, which went into effect in January, was issued in response to the cryptosporidium outbreak at a Seneca Lake State Park spraypark in Geneva, N.Y., last summer. The outbreak sickened nearly 4,000 people and sparked a class action lawsuit. The crypto was found in the park's holding tanks.

Along with requiring UV systems, the code requires that parks using recycled water obtain health permits and install signs telling patrons with diarrhea to keep out of the area. They also must fence parks to keep animals out.

But it's the UV requirement that has some manufacturers concerned. They say UV cannot kill everything, including biofilms that protect crypto from being treated adequately. "It's no better off than if the system wasn't there," one spraypark manufacturer said.

In addition, manufacturers are worried that the high cost of UV may be too much for smaller municipal spraypark operations and cause them to shut down, or go to a water-to-waste system.

The health department said the UV requirement is to prevent the incident from recurring. "Protecting the public's health is our No. 1 priority," said Jeffrey Hammond, spokesman for the New York Health Department. "UV is the most effective method for treating cryptosporidium."

He said UV was chosen because it was deemed the best method. "It's the industry standard for treating biofilms," he said. "The use of UV would not replace the use of chlorine. The UV system would be used as an additional step."

Hammond added that state officials listened to manufacturers' concerns about the new regulations at several informational meetings. The state does not intend to shut down parks.

Experts are unsure of the best protocol. "I think [UV] is one valid approach to handling the issue of crypto," said Shawn DeRosa, consultant for the Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC, in Boston. "The challenge is managing the risk--the cost of installation, operation and use to spraypark attendees." He added that education also would be effective in preventing future outbreaks.

Cryptosporidium causes vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weight loss and other symptoms. It can be spread through fecal matter introduced into a recreational water setting and takes nearly a week to be destroyed by chlorine.