Lewisville closes two public aquatic parks to treat for cryptosporidium

by PegNews wire

LEWISVILLE — Lewisville officials have temporary closed the city's two public aquatic parks after being contacted Tuesday afternoon by a parent whose child had visited a Lewisville facility while infected with the cryptosporidium parasite. Although there has been no cryptosporidium detected at either Lewisville park, and a high-tech ultra violet filtering system is in place to combat the water-borne parasite, city officials have closed the pools for an estimated five days to treat and test the water.

Cryptosporidium infections have been reported at pools in Tarrant and Dallas counties, and several Metroplex cities have closed their public facilities to conduct testing. Lewisville's filtering system, which cost $108,000 and was approved by the City Council as part of the 2007-08 budget, bombards the water with ultraviolet light to literally break apart the DNA of Cryptosporidium. While even heavy chlorination might not always work, UV filtering has been proven effective.

The system was requested by city staff last year after some Cryptosporidium infections were reported in East Texas. Although there was no trace of the parasite found in Lewisville water parks, aquatics staff chose to be proactive in addressing any future outbreaks. Officials are confident that the filter has protected visitors at the local parks, but is conducting additional treatment and testing as a safety precaution.

Source: city of Lewisville