Is it sanitary to swim in lake?

Spending time in natural bodies of water—like oceans, lakes, and rivers—is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. While this can help you stay active, it is important to know that the water we swim, play, wade, and relax in can also spread germs and make you, and those you care about, sick.



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“For the most part, swimming in lakes and rivers is relatively safe,” Watts said. “However, there are always going to be some pathogens present in these natural bodies of water, and while most may be relatively harmless, there are some that can be negatively impactful.”

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Pools also tend to be much cleaner than natural lakes. This is because most pool owners take extra care to make sure the pool is sanitized, oxidized, and pH balanced on a regular basis. You're far less likely to pick up an infection from swimming in the local pool.

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Stay out of the water if The water looks cloudier than usual, is discolored, or smells bad. Cloudy water can be a warning that there are more germs in the water than normal. Discolored or smelly water could mean there is a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in the water.

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Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada The water of this long-existent lake is the cleanest in North America, making it one of the cleanest lakes in the United States.

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Look for signs of poor water quality, such as algal blooms and dirty or turbid water. Do not swim in water that smells like rotten eggs or sewage. Avoid swimming near pipes that drain into lakes or streams.

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