What is the first step to take after a solid fecal accident in the pool?

The first step to take after a solid fecal accident in the pool is to remove as much matter as possible. This is critical because fecal matter can introduce harmful pathogens into the water, and simply disinfecting the pool without first removing the solid waste will not effectively eliminate the risk to swimmers' health.

Once the bulk of the fecal material is removed, the next steps involve disinfecting the affected area of the pool and ensuring the water is safe for use. Closing the pool is important to prevent any further contamination and to keep swimmers from exposure while cleanup and disinfection processes are ongoing, but the immediate priority is to physically remove the solid waste to minimize contamination.

Disinfecting the pool is necessary, but should follow the removal of the fecal material for maximum effectiveness. Notifying the health department is not usually a direct first step in standard operating procedures for pool operators, as they typically handle the situation internally unless local regulations specifically require it.