LEWISTON - They are a summer favorite.

Swimming pools are fun, relaxing and where many spend the majority of their summer. But North Central District Health Department Staff Epidemiologist Donna Anderson says, while most people sometimes think about water-related accidents, cleanliness is also a big concern.

"We worry about contaminated pool water,” Anderson said. “Many times people can get a diarrheal kind of illness from contaminated pool water. Remember, when you're in the pool, you're in with everyone else's bad bugs."

Anderson said there are a couple things the health department and fellow pool goers alike ask everyone to do before making some waves.

"Please do not swim if you are ill,” she said. “If you have diarrhea, don't go to the pool. The second thing we like to say please to is, don't swallow the water. That's how people become ill, by swallowing contaminated water. And please, take a shower before you enter the pool."

Anderson says those with young children need to be especially careful of spreading illness. She says infants should never be changed poolside, and it's important to always keep checking them out.

"Offer them the opportunity to have bathroom breaks frequently,” said Anderson. “And if they're wearing those little swim diapers, please check them frequently."

Although chlorine and other pool chemicals help sterilize the waters, they can't do it all or right away.

"Even if we have good pool safety, and good chlorination, all bad bugs are not killed immediately by chlorine,” Anderson said. “We all have to do our part to keep our recreational water clean."