I'm a mother of 3 who has been at Starlight Pool all summer 2-3 times a day with my children and their various swim lessons. My eldest had been sick with "crypto" symptoms on and off for about 4 weeks, unknown to us it was probably the pool water. Needless to say our entire family of 5 came down with it as did many of our neighbors who also take swim lessons there. I know that many more people than "30" were sickened from the pool.
I wish the City had been more forthcoming and honest about what was going on sooner. The first closure of Starlight was on July 4, with a very general letter to us that people were sick but the pool met health standards and they didn't believe the two were related. They said if we had questions to contact the Maricopa Cnty Epidemology Dept. and gave a #, who of course never returned our phone call.
We had the option of finishing lessons at another local pool which we did. I overheard a parent talking about what was found in the water at Starlight. I had to plead with a staff member at the other pool to let me know if the pool was toxic because I needed to know for my children's sake, beause they had been sick she finally said yes they (the City) believe the water had some kind of bacteria. The pool and all Phoenix pools were closed on 7/15 because of the issue. I believe that they could no longer keep it under wrap and had to reveal the truth, mind you this was the second closure for Starlight. Why wait until 7/9 five days later to let swimmers know the truth? Then go ahead and hold the Olympic event at Encanto Pool this past Saturday, where all swimmers from Phoenix pools participated, probably contaminating even more people.
I love the staff at Starlight everyone is very friendly and I do see them testing the water frequently but that's only for chlorine not bacteria, parasites, etc. All of this because a parent was too lazy to change their child's diaper, very disturbing!
