It's a cool night. The sky is dark blue, and the stars are bright.
Steam hangs over the hot tub as the water bubbles furiously.
You and a few friends step into the water, sit back and relax. As part of the state-mandated monitoring of public pools and spas, the Hygienic Laboratory now examines water samples on a monthly basis, testing for traces of coliform bacteria and pseudomonads. Coliform bacteria are normally found in the intestinal tract of mammals and in contaminated surface water. Pseudomonads are common water bacteria generally found in soil and on vegetation, human skin, hair and in feces. According to Moyer, swimming pools and water slide parks can be sites for the spread of cryptosporidium and giardia, parasites that are resistant to chlorine.