Can Chemicals Reveal the Presence of Urine in Pool - Pool Chemicals Freehold

Can Chemicals Reveal the Presence of Urine in Pool

Or is this an old wives’ tale we’ve all been told over the years?

Movies like 2010’s “Grown Ups” continue to perpetrate the myth of urine-detecting chemicals in pools that produce a billowing brightly colored cloud to reveal the offender. Perhaps we were fooled into thinking this was an actual chemical found in pool supply shops peddled to desperate pool owners looking to deter this despicable act among neighborhood kids. Heck, you probably grew up hearing all the warnings and seeing all the signs at your friends’ backyard pools, something to the effect of: “We don’t swim in your toilet, please don’t pee in our pool” or “Welcome to our Ool: Notice there’s no P in it, let’s keep it that way.”

Clever. Very clever. But it doesn’t make it any more true. Yup, Snopes says it’s all a hoax. There is no magical chemical that turns blue (or red or purple) when detecting the presence of urine in pools. Although parents have certainly tried over the years, you can’t buy a chemical to add to your pool that acts as an indicator for urine. Of course, countless pool supply businesses get bombarded with requests of urine-indicator dye all the time, but it’s simply not available on the market.

It sounds like a great idea, though, so why hasn’t anyone ever tried? Well, they have; it’s just tricky to create a chemical that reacts with urine that doesn’t also react with similar organic compounds present in swimming pools. Perhaps that’s all well and good. When faced with such a challenge in this day and age, who knows how many 8-year-old boys would gleefully jump in and test out the theory to the delight of his buddies? One does have to wonder how this would work effectively in community pools where clouds of bright blue would be present all the live-long day.

The reality is, kids and adults alike pee in pools, and while we’re at it, hot tubs even more so. It’s gross but that’s life. Hidden by the shroud of water and often warm temps that accompany it can create the perfect conditions for letting go. We can teach our kids the hygiene risk behind it but they will more likely respond to the threat of shame and humiliation by posting harmless signs and perpetuating the myth. So, while there is no chemical that detects the presence of urine in pools, you don’t have to tell the kids that. Keep the secret alive with a little white lie that won’t hurt anyone. If you can save one kid from peeing in the pool, you’ve done your job.

If you find yourself in need of any “real” chemicals for your backyard pool in NJ, don’t hesitate to call Central Jersey Pools at 732-462-5005 anytime.