Scientists Are Hell-bent on Trying to Expose the Extent of Sneaky Pool Peeing

It’s something that is (pretty much) universally shunned: Pool-peeing.

Scientists are now able to confirm the full extent of urine in pools by developing a clever test.

It works by measuring the concentration of an artificial sweetener called acesulfame potassium (ACE, for short). It's commonly found in processed food and can pass through the body without altering.

The test was trialed in two public pools in Canada over a three-week period; what they found may shock you. (Sorry, that sounded like a clickbait title, but it seriously will shock you.)

Swimmers had released a total of 75 litres of urine into the large pool, and 30 litres into a second, smaller pool.

The lead author of the study said, “Our study provides additional evidence that people are indeed urinating in public pools and hot tubs.”

You think?

Most of us would never admit to using public pools as a giant communal toilet, but when given a cloak of anonymity, some people fess up. One anonymous survey found 19 per cent of adults admit to having urinated in a swimming pool at least once.

Scientists suggest it’ll be possible to use ACE testing in the future to ensure urine in pools is kept to a hygienic level.

Luckily, for all you sneaky pool-peeing fiends out there, there’s currently no urine indicator dye that can be used in pools.

Just because you can get away with it (for now), doesn’t mean you should.

Photo: NBC