To evaluate the bacteriological quality of water pools in the city of Cumana, Sucre state, Venezuela, water samples were collected in 1 public and 4 private pools, coded A to E, respectively, 2 samples were taken weekly for 2 months before and after a pool cleaning process. We determined pH, temperature and residual chlorine, aerobic mesophilic for total plate count, the Most Probable Number (MPN) for total coliforms (TC) and fecal (FC) and bacterial identification by conventional methods. The pH in the samples ranged between 6.8 and 7.3, temperature of 29 to 31 degrees C and chlorine residual of 0.3 to 0.5 mg/L The highest count of aerobic mesophilic bacteria was obtained in B with 6x10(2). CFU/mL. In relation to the MPN, before cleaning, the CT highest value was obtained in D with 2.8 x10(3) and CT/100mL, E showed the highest CF value with 6x10(2) CF/100mL. After cleaning, the results for B indicated the CT highest values, 9.3 x10(2) CT/100mL, and in D and E the results had the CF highest values, 3x10(2) CF/100 mL. CF values in the samples before and after cleaning exceed the standards established by Venezuela (0 NMP/100mL). Statistically, no significant differences were found between pools for CT and CF before and after cleaning. Gram-negative bacteria predominated, being more frequent in E (84.21%) and B (71.92%), mainly, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sample A had more isolated Gram-positive (44.44%), identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis. These results indicate a constant bacterial contamination and health risk.
