Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Swimming in your pond and water quality

So I'm sure this has been asked but I did a search and didn't find anything. So I have a 1.5 to 2 acre pond with bass , catfish and bluegill and it is great for fishing. But what if my kids and family want to swim in it over the summer? Do you guys swim in your ponds? Do you need to do any water tests prior to swimming? My fish seem to be doing good and the water is clear and no algae or any other growth on the water. My wife is mainly worried since our septic tank is someplace between the house and the pond and she thinks maybe bad stuff could be leeching out into the pond water. If that's even possible. Everything looks good and healthy so should I even be worried and if I do need to test the water can I do it myself?

Thanks in advance

I own a swimming hole that just happens to be stocked with brook trout. I really enjoy fly fishing for brook trout but jumping in on a hot summer day is just as enjoyable, if not more so.

I have my water tested twice a year, once in late spring and again in the middle of summer. I also use test kits for e.coli and coliforms after substantial rains or before parties. I have never had an issue.

If I was you, just to placate the wife, spend 25$ on a test kit and enjoy the peace of mind.

I wouldn't swim in either of mine. Too much cover in one (brush) and FA, plus some murkiness. The other one is chocolate milk.

When you say test kit I see ones for pond which on test ph , nitrates etc. What other kits are there

This is the one I used last summer, but buyer beware, it is tricky to use:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0741GLPRQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_7?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0741GLPRQ

I just paid 70$ to UW Madison for total coliform and e coli. I am sure you have the same services in your state.

http://www.slh.wisc.edu/environmental/water/public-environmental-and-water-testing-prices/

This will be limiting factor for several family matters in my pond

We have been swimming in our pond since it was built five yrs ago. No problems so far. I�m not sure what the difference would be in swimming in a pond or a large lake. The Lake of the Ozarks has thousands and thousands of septic tanks that have to be leaking into the lake. My fish are using it for their bathroom, my grandkids probably do too. I�ve never bothered to test the water, but I do tell the grandkids not to drink it.

A little common sense can go along way when it comes to swimming in ponds and a little paranoia can keep you from enjoying a swim.

I like the idea of having the water tested, but I've not had mine tested and get in for one reason or another a couple times a year. My pond is not very clear. Mid summer proves to have a clarity of about 18 to 24 inches (secchi readings). On occasion, I have a very strong algae bloom that turns the water a bright, almost neon, green color. This is where common sense comes in...you couldn't convince me to get in with waders (blue/green paranoia I guess).

Aerated ponds will have less of that "smell" when you disturb the bottoms and I would never get into a pond that just stinks to look at.

How is the snail population in the pond? I have read about "swimmers itch" that has something to do with snails and their parasites. I have quite a few snails in my pond, but have never got the itch...just something to be aware of. It goes back to the common sense thing...if the water is super full of snails, leeches, unknown bugs, ect (I don't have to mention snakes do I?) then I'm not going in.

We caught a turtle a few weeks ago that had a leech on it's shell which I found kind of odd....didn't know our pond had leeches and would have never thought a leech would be riding on a turtle shell.

https://i.imgur.com/BrbYDaW.jpg
This was yesterday. I'v never checked ours for anything besides with a fishing pole lol. Nothing but a turtle or 3 and some fishies.

The wife and I went swimming in our pond for the first time yesterday.

Growing up on a farm we didn't think twice about jumping into the creek, or the quarry, or the neighbor's pond, or the Missouri River when it was hot outside.

Just don't drink it.

As long as the swimmers are old/mature enough to not drink it/gargle/etc I don't think twice. And we got rid of the snails with a good stocking of RES so no swimmer's itch issues.

Everyone has a good time swimming in a pond. My kids had some friends over the other night. The teenagers are tring to sink the paddle boat.

https://i.imgur.com/EcpjMnY.jpg