Do people really pee in the pool, and how do you know as a coach?

Hey swimmers! This is coach Milo.

Welcome to another Q&A session where I answer questions from you all on the internet.

Today's question is:

"Do people really pee in the pool, and how do you know as a coach?"

Answer:

Milo confirms that yes, people do pee in the pool, and there are both obvious and chemical indicators. On a humorous level, if you’re swimming behind someone and suddenly feel a warm sensation, that’s a clear sign. More importantly, the strong “chlorine” smell many people associate with pools is not actually chlorine itself.

Milo explains that the sharp, stuffy smell comes from chloramines (or chloromites, as described), which are chemical byproducts formed when chlorine mixes with contaminants like urine. A well-maintained pool manages these chemicals effectively, so swimmers are generally safe. If you ever walk into a pool and notice an unusually strong chlorine smell, that’s a sign contaminants are reacting with the chemicals.

Summary:

Yes, people pee in pools. The strong chlorine smell comes from chloramines formed when urine mixes with chlorine, but proper chemical management keeps swimmers safe.