So I recently got a membership to a rec center in my area (it was the only one remotely close to me that has an indoor pool with realistic lap swim hours). I noticed when I went for my first swim in the indoor pool that it didn’t seem very clean. The water had a yellowish tinge to it and it didn’t smell great. Later when I got home and put my suit in the sink to clean it, the water got REALLY yellow & gross. Would it be annoying of me to ask when the last time the pool was properly cleaned? Is it appropriate for me to ask? Should I be specific about which kind of cleaning I mean? I feel like this pool is beyond the pool vacuum method and they likely need to drain it and refill it at this point. Should I ask when the last time they did that was? Also, are they required to tell the public (people paying for access to the rec center at least) these things or am I being a Karen?
It’s not being a Karen; it’s about safety and ensuring the pool is properly maintained for everyone. You were right to bring up visibility issues, as lifeguards can’t effectively monitor swimmers if they can’t see the pool floor. The fact that the pool was later shut down and corrected shows your concern was valid. Pools should always maintain chemical balance for clarity, safety, and smell, so asking how often the water quality is checked is perfectly reasonable. It’s about keeping the facility safe and enjoyable for everyone.
@FRANK Yeah, it’s about the chemicals, not just cleaning. Definitely ask how often they check that stuff. Your Y story’s wild - can’t believe they tried to say that was safe. Good on you for speaking up. Not a Karen move at all when it comes to safety.
If it’s yellow and making your swim suit that filthy, I’d be asking for a refund and finding somewhere else to swim. No way I’d be trusting them to maintain a pool properly after an experience like that, so there’d be no point in asking when it was last cleaned.
@MSHARK thank you for being the only one who’s made me feel like i’m not crazy 
Np that sounds disgusting! I’ve been in plenty of pools—public indoor/outdoor and personal (friends/relatives) outdoor pools & have never had this experience. Might as well go jump in a lake for free at that point!
It’s not weird to ask. Speak to management—they should know. Well-managed pools are open about their procedures. Pools are regulated by state health departments, and most keep records and undergo inspections.
You don’t need to drain a pool. That is a ton of work and waste of water. The water in the pool is actually slowly replaced by the pumps. The time for 100% turn over varies by the pump and pool size.
I’d guess the chemicals are off in the pool, and if that’s the case, they shouldn’t be open until the chemicals are with health standards.
@Dangerousrain after doing some research it looks like most pools are typically drained sometime between every 2-7 years (at least that’s the recommendation). it’s highly likely that many places aren’t kept up like they’re supposed to though due to cutting corners & keeping costs down in general