Little Fishes Goes Green

The goal for Ruthie Zarren, owner and founder of in Brentwood, is to help children develop into happy, confident swimmers. But to do that, Zarren knows children need a safe, clean environment in which to thrive, which is why in addition to her existing hygienic measures, she recently installed a state-of the-art ultraviolet water treatment system.

“Our new UV system is a chemical-free way to eliminate more than 99.9% of the microbiological bacteria and parasites that are traditionally treated in pools by loading the water with a chemical cocktail," she said.

There are at least two strains of bacteria that are known to be chlorine resistant, including the Crypto virus, but these can be eliminated with the use of UV filtration.

UV destroys the genetic code of all harmful viruses on contact, disinfects water to near pure form and leaves behind no chloramines, chemical residues that are the by-product of chlorine use and responsible for eye irritation and the bleachy smell prevalent in many private and public pool settings. 

Since it opened in 2008, Little Fishes has been progressive in terms of safety and hygiene. Its indoor instruction space means students and coaches are protected from the sun’s harmful rays and inclement weather. Its salt water pool is healthier for young lungs, gentler on delicate skin and better for the environment.

Special reusable swim diapers—mandatory for all children not potty trained–help keep bacteria from being released in the water. The reusable swim diapers don’t disintegrate like a traditional diaper when submerged in water (causing problems with the pool filtration system), and don’t absorb extra water and take on dangerous weight.

The UV system and other hygiene methods are significant investments for her business, but ones Zarren has been quick to make. “It underscores our pledge to make sure our students learn to love the water in the happiest, healthiest environment possible,” she said.  

Little Fishes Swim School provided this information to Patch.