> ## Content Index
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# Recreational Water Illnesses: What are they?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/recreational_water_illnesses_0521110731/
- Published: 2011-05-21T20:28:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T13:16:15.000Z
- Description: Germs in pools, water parks and lakes cause recreational water illnesses. The page points readers to agencies for swimming lessons and public-water information, and warns that bad dives, exhaustion, cramps, waves, tides and currents endanger even strong swimmers.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, #vivvo-import

# Recreational Activities: Swimming

Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs in water such as swimming pools, water parks, and lakes. Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week is May 23-29

Swimming is an integral part of almost all [water-based activities](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=10919&ref=foodconsumer.org) such as snorkeling, surfing, sailing,[boating](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=10908&ref=foodconsumer.org), rowing, canoeing, water skiing, and Jet Skiing. It is also a competitive sport, such as synchronized swimming, triathlon, diving, or water polo events, in which individuals participate. People can swim in any body of water large enough to permit free movement, including swimming pools, oceans, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams.

For general information, please view the following:

- For information on swimming lessons, please contact your
- [state](http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/State%5Fand%5FTerritories.shtml?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- and/or
- [local government agency](http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Local.shtml?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- . These offices may be able to provide information on the types of classes available, their locations, and their costs.
- For information on swimming in public waters and swimming classes, please contact your [state's fish and wildlife agency](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=9696&ref=foodconsumer.org).
- For information on swimming in a recreational area, please [contact that recreational site directly](http://www.recreation.gov/recFacilitySearchResult.do?topTabIndex=RecreationArea&ref=foodconsumer.org).

**Please note:** Many safety hazards can exist for recreational swimmers. For instance, swimmers can misjudge a dive and hit the bottom of a pool or lake, become exhausted, and/or experience sudden cramps while too far from shore or other swimmers. In addition, powerful waves, tides, and [currents](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=11067&ref=foodconsumer.org)can overpower even the most experienced swimmers. Swimmers must follow the instructions of lifeguards and obey posted information about water conditions, tides, and other dangers such as jellyfish or [pollution](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=11465&ref=foodconsumer.org).

**Additional Resources:**

- [Swim Healthy, Swim Safely](http://www.cdc.gov/migrated%5Fcontent/general%5Finformation/healthyswimming/safeswimming.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) \- provides information on [skin cancer](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=11075&ref=foodconsumer.org), swimmer's ear, swimmer's itch, water-related diseases, and water-related injuries.
- [MedlinePlus: Recreational Water Safety](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/watersafetyrecreational.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Water Safety for Swimmers](http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfwatersafety04/focus.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [KidsHealth.org: Swimming](http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/water.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [PoolSafely.gov](http://www.poolsafely.gov/?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Preventing Drowning Deaths](http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml07/07195.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Preventing Electrocutions in and around a Pool](http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03125.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Beach Safety](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=10525&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Handicap Accessible Swimming Pools and Spas](http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/guides/pools.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Improving Your Pool's Heating and Energy Efficiency](http://www.energysavers.gov/your%5Fhome/water%5Fheating/index.cfm/mytopic=13130?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Coastal Water Temperature Guide](http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Recreational Water Illness (RWI) Prevention Week](http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/rwi-prevention-week/?ref=foodconsumer.org) \- will take place May 23 through 29, 2011.

By USA.gov