Although we know that the swimming was a sport in ancient Greek and Roman Civilizations, we now see it as something as a cause for war. Considering the fact that water is a natural living area for many species and that the life started in water, it would not be a surprise that there is so much interest in water, and people enjoy it both for swimming or taking a bath and that there has even come out a culture regarding water.

It is known that the Indian water culture which was created for religious purposes dates back to 3000 B.C., however, the well-protected examples regarding the way of life related to the water belong to the Aegean civilizations. The high standards and design criteria which were improved between 1700-1400 B.C. in Kronos and Phoitos Palaces are remarkable. The Romans skillfully constructed swimming pools and baths for public use. And in Japan, an imperial decree was announced and implemented, stipulating the swimming training in Japanese schools.

Although it has lost importance after the Roman Empire split into two, the use of water for recreative purposes in eastern societies have survived in various forms for centuries. Known especially as Turkish baths, these constructions became the elements of the development of an exclusive architecture and culture.

The steam baths followed by the act of swimming in cold river or lake in Russia have kept on being popular since the ancient times. Mass bathing and swimming has been part of a living culture in China and Japan.

These buildings did not improve since the Renaissance until the 19th century in Europe. The 19th century is regarded as an era during which the improvements in swimming pools increased. The British who made colonies in the East and in various parts of world adopted the idea of the public swimming pool and bath in Japan and India, and they brought it into their countries. In so doing, swimming pools spread quickly in Britain and Europe. It jumped even further to the America in 1860s and there were already some being constructed, though not many. And another recent and related improvement is the start of using the chlorine to sterilize the water in swimming pools for the first time.

It is known that the first official swimming races were held in London in 1837. Many European countries established swimming federations after 1882. In 1896, the modern Olympics started and followed by the addition of swimming as a branch, and the swimming races were organized. After the worldwide development of swimming branch; the International Amateur Swimming Federation was established in London in 1909. The1920-1930s were the years during which the highest numbers of swimming pools were constructed in the America. Due to the economic collapses during the Second World War and the following years, the constructions of swimming pools came to an end. This stagnation quickly turned to a move and an increase towards the mid 1950s. The construction techniques, filtration and other improvements in pool installations played an important role in this. There has also been a constant increase in swimming pool constructions in many countries particularly in the developed ones within the period from 1950s till today. This field has become an industry and a market on its own.

Recreation, relaxation, entertainment and SPORT are seen as primary uses of swimming pools. In tourism sector, swimming pools have become a part of tourism constructions (the current number of hotels with a swimming pool in Turkey is 720). Besides, the improvement in living standards, the difficulty in reaching the coast in holidays, usage of pools for relaxation, entertainment and recreation purposes have further increased the number of swimming pools constructed.

Most of the swimming pools are risky for health because, those in pool sector in Turkey who are responsible for construction and use of pools are not conscious enough, and all they consider as a criteria is the cost, and there is no standard nor inspection. If the sanitation of pool water, which is a very important element in terms of human health -along with some other issues- were not held properly, many problems would be unavoidable.

Extract from www.bilimselyuzme.com