New guidelines by the State of Iowa could spell the end of the Decorah Swimming Pool's Dog Swim

(Photos courtesy of Decorah Park-Rec)

The end of the season dog swim at the Decorah Swimming Pool has been one of the more popular events each year at the pool.  But the Iowa Department of Public Health is paying increased attention to the health risks of dog swims across the state as the events become more popular.  Decorah Park-Rec Director Andy Nimrod says it's likely Decorah will discontinue its dog swim rather than comply with the stricter guidelines.

Iowa Department of Public Health Environmental Engineer John Kelly says his department has not changed the rules about swimming pool operation, but it has issued some recommendations after it got contacted by the public about a pool which wasn't following the rules.  Kelly says it's important that any dog swim have lifeguards on duty.  He says it's also important the water in the pool must be continuously circulated (Decorah holds its Dog Swim on the last day the pool is open, so it lowers the water level and shuts off the pumps and filters so dog hair doesn't clog its system).

In addition to the existing swimming pool operating requirements which are in effect for dog swims, Kelly says newly-published guidelines for dog swims include that all dogs should be hosed off before being allowed to enter the pool so excess hair, dirt, feces, urine and other contaminants can be removed; that dogs be monitored for possible aggressive behaviors; that registration information should include a vaccination history; and that the dog swim itself should be held only in outdoor pools at the end of the season and at a location with grassy areas where the dogs can urinate and defecate.

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Board has discussed the new dog swim guidelines and, while a final decision has not been made yet about the future of the event in Decorah, it's likely there won't be a dog swim this year.