8 In 10 Public Pools Fail Routine Health Inspections, CDC Study Finds

WASHINGTON (CBS) – This might make you think twice before taking a dip this summer.

In a new study that looks at about 50,000 public pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds in five states, the Centers For Disease Control found that nearly 80 percent of facilities had at least one health violation. One in eight inspections forced pools to close "because of serious health and safety violations," the CDC said.

The situation is even worse in kiddie and wading pools. The CDC said one in five had to be closed due to violations – the highest percentage among all inspected facilities.

Common violations found by the CDC include improper pH, safety equipment and disinfectant concentration.

"Almost one third of local health departments do not regulate, inspect, or license public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds," said Michele Hlavsa, chief of the CDC's Healthy Swimming Program. "We should all check for inspection results online or on site before using public pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds and do our own inspection before getting into the water."

The study looked at pools in Texas, Arizona, New York, California and Florida.