BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool

Subject: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 May 12 - 08:13 PM

The report is that officials at "a small picturesque lake near Hamburg" are taking complaints from fishermen seriously.

The fishermen are claiming that "swimmers who pee in the lake" are responsible for a fish kill estimated at "about 500 fish."

A competing theory holds that it's actually the ice skaters who wake the fish up while it's still too cold, and the fish died from a lake of oxygen in the cold water.

Our at-home theory is that the pollution from all the rotten bait discarded by those fishermen was the most likely cause.

A resident expert worries "if this catches on like the second hand smoke crap they'll want to ban the pee-holes down at the drinkin' place" (paraphrased for decency, and Shane asked that his name not be used).

Full Story Here

Obviously a single anonymous expert isn't sufficient to establish much of a theory, and perhaps others of our knowledgeable participants have even better explanations. We are aware that some here have experience with ponds and pools and may have found real answers.

This could have world-wide application, as the Winfield Lake (40 miles east of here) was just shut down to swimmers today, on reports of unidentified "stuff" in the water. Local health experts have been consulted, but all they said was "we might get out there tomorrow to take a look." A county official was quoted as saying "what's to worry about, they can go home and swim in their own pools."

John

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Bobert
Date: 14 May 12 - 08:36 PM

That's it!!!

I have been planning on setting up a machine gun tower by the pool this summer for when the grandies come over... Don't give me that "I'm peeing" look 'er the 50 cal is gonna get into the game...

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 May 12 - 08:43 PM

Shane has been doing that ever since anyone can remember. I bet he's responsible for the deaths of millions of fish by now.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Bobert
Date: 14 May 12 - 08:54 PM

War crimes against fish!!!

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 May 12 - 09:44 PM

Yes, but they were inadvertent war crimes. Collateral damage. Like what happens when big countries (and small ones) go to war.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 May 12 - 10:32 PM

Let's throw Shame to the fish!

No, he'd pollute the Great Lakes from end to end and two countries would suffer from it. Instead, let's throw the fish at Shame...old, rotten fish, heads, guts and all.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 15 May 12 - 04:26 AM

Blue-green algae occur in nearly all lakes and ponds. They can get out of control and 'bloom' in hot weather and after pollution by, say, fertiliserss leeching from farmers' fields. I think it's unlikely that urine has caused this. But blue-green algae can be dangerous to wildlife (and even humans and swimming dogs etc) Any type of pollution in water should be investigated immediately. Here in UK, a manifestation of large numbers of dead fish would instantly provoke closure of the lake and extensive scientific analysis by the Environmental Authority. Water doesn't just stay in a lake, it can leech out into the general water system and affects us all. It should always be taken very seriously.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Ed T
Date: 15 May 12 - 06:11 AM

I suggest that "pulse" nutrient imputs (especiallly fertilizers) from land sourrounding be a first consideration. The ph level of the lake, often caused by sourrounding land inputs is also a clue that IMO leads away from an alkalotic urine cause.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Ed T
Date: 15 May 12 - 06:21 AM

I would also rule out a "postprandial alkaline tide" where all swimmers ate acidic, purine-rich foods, ran into the lake and relieved themselves at the same time:)

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 15 May 12 - 07:07 AM

LOL Ed, a sort of Pee Fest!

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Amos
Date: 15 May 12 - 08:27 AM

POstprandial micturition syncopation in the wild does not cause problems with fresh-water fish. In high-density urban environments, depending on scale, it could possibly precipitate socialized emotive syndromes such as embarassment. The issue is, of course, the combined impacts on the fresh-water body of such syncopation. Alkalinity, bacteria, and sonic vibrations should all be considered. Do not underewstimate the last category in case of large scale micturition as the aggregate sonic profile of large populations performing such acts in a synchronized manner can not be compared to the lonely sound of one dick weeing.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: foggers
Date: 15 May 12 - 07:21 PM

Surely someone is taking the P*ss here??!!

And remember the reason WC Fields gave for never drinking water....

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 May 12 - 09:32 PM

If not in the pool, perhaps in the pond? Or in the lake? Or the ocean? Do you know how much water there is on Earth? Here in a graphic prepared by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, is what it would look like if all the water on Earth was rolled up into a sphere.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 May 12 - 07:58 AM

Reminds me of a 50s ashtray my aunt had. It was swimming pool with a lady in a swimming cap saying "We don't swim in your toilet so please don't pee in our pool."

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 16 May 12 - 04:58 PM

Was it the same company who sold the notice
which said "Please dont drop your cigatette butts in my toilet or i will pee in your ashtray"

Or is the title of the thread a challenge to the infamous Mudcat trolls

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Bobert
Date: 16 May 12 - 05:09 PM

Well, we took the cover off our pool today and the water is *pea* green, not *pee* green... I figure it will take a week of chemicals and brushing before it is clear and ready for the grandies to come pee in...

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 16 May 12 - 05:12 PM

Our local swimming pool has a special substance added which turns bright orange around a rogue pee, so everyone can see 'whodunnit'.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 May 12 - 05:40 PM

Now THAT'S better living through chemistry!

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Jeri
Date: 16 May 12 - 05:55 PM

The whole dye to detect pool pee is an urban legend. This dates from 1994, but I know I heard it much earlier than that.

Fish pee in lakes, or eliminate waste in some form. Do fish actually pee?

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 May 12 - 11:26 AM

Surely someone is taking the P*ss here??!!

And remember the reason WC Fields gave for never drinking water....

Yes, I remember.
But what reliance, on this subject matter, can you place on someone whose name seem to suggest extra-mural mictiration?

Nigel :)

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Ed T
Date: 17 May 12 - 04:24 PM

"A rogue pee in the pool, and then the lochness monster lost her virginity. But, how would that be different from any other day?"

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: open mike
Date: 17 May 12 - 09:06 PM

i wondered if there was some indicator chemical..but most site i see say there is no such thing...

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 May 12 - 10:09 PM

Weeeellll....

"The pH of urine can vary between 4.6 and 8, with neutral (7) being the norm." -- Wikipedia.

Cresol red, when put in neutral pH water, will be yellow. It will turn reddish-purple if the pH changes to 7.2 to 8.8. This phenomenon, along with color-changing from yellow to something else of bromocresol purple, bromothymol blue, and phenol red might possibly have perhaps been utilized by some jokers who, in my high school, put these indicators in a row of popular urinals. This might have led to a young man rushing from the toilet yelling, "I'm peeing blue!"

Chemistry teachers should lock supply room doors when Certain People are around and the teacher isn't.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Bert
Date: 17 May 12 - 11:22 PM

underewstimate That's a great word Amos, may I use it?

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 17 May 12 - 11:42 PM

Can't pee in the pool now????...Damn, there goes the flavor!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 May 12 - 10:27 AM

Putting indicators in a pool in sufficient strength to provide a color change might be contraindicated. I mean, would YOU jump into a pool full of yellow water? Or perhaps phenolphthalein -- colorless unless activated, but if you swallow some of the water you should also know that it's a pretty powerful laxative.

I wouldn't use phenolphthalein unless you like swimming in a pool full of lumpy water.

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 May 12 - 11:33 AM

"Here in a graphic prepared by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, is what it would look like if all the water on Earth was rolled up into a sphere." Rapparee

I'm confused (What's new?) That graphic shows that, rolled into a ball, the waters of Earth are a miniscule amount. I don't get it. Are we talking about volume, i.e. compressed mass versus compressed mass?

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Ed T
Date: 18 May 12 - 02:04 PM

If they can sanitize not so cool gas emissions?

fart-as-you-will undies

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Ed T
Date: 18 May 12 - 02:11 PM

retro-farts

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 18 May 12 - 03:19 PM

I'm quite glad that urine indicator in swimming pools is a myth. I personally have never trangressed, but as the link from Jeri states, one can imagine the children weeing in Olympic quantities just to see the water change colour! I'd always believed this urban myth, so thank you for puuting me right Jeri (and others).

Subject: RE: BS: Really Don't Pee in the Pool
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:04 PM

Ebbie, that's all the water ON Earth. But that picture is to scale. That's not a drop in the bucket.

And we have no idea how much, or if, water is trapped under the Earth's crust (obviously there's some).