Get out of the water and avoid further exposure. If a harmful algal bloom may be present, rinse your skin promptly with tap water. If coastal water reached an open wound, wash it thoroughly with soap and clean running water. Watch for illness and contact a healthcare provider if you become sick after swimming.
What to do right after exposure
- Leave the water. Do not continue swimming in water under an advisory or closure, or where a harmful algal bloom may be present.
- Rinse promptly if an algal bloom is possible. Use tap water on skin that touched the water. CDC recommends rinsing immediately after contact with water that may have a harmful algal bloom: CDC guidance on preventing illnesses caused by harmful algal blooms.
- Wash any exposed wound. If coastal water reached a cut, scrape, surgical site, piercing, or tattoo, clean it thoroughly with soap and clean running water. This includes salt or brackish water. CDC advises avoiding swimming with an open wound when possible: CDC guidance on preventing Vibrio infection.
- Check the beach status. Look for notices from the beach manager, local health department, or state health agency. Closures and advisories can change, and CDC especially recommends checking conditions after heavy rainfall: CDC guidance on safely visiting oceans, lakes, and rivers.
There is no cited guidance recommending a special cleansing product, preventive medication, or routine antibiotics for everyone after a swim. If you swallowed water but feel well, monitor for symptoms rather than assuming illness will occur.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to judge whether the water may be unsafe
Follow posted closures and advisories even if the water looks clear. Germs and other hazards are not always visible. Warning signs that can accompany a harmful algal bloom include unusual discoloration, foam, scum, algae mats, paint-like streaks, a bad odor, or dead fish. CDC notes that toxins can sometimes be present even when a bloom is not visible.
Recommended Free Tools
Pollution may also enter beach water through runoff or sewage releases; heavy rain can increase concern. Avoid water near drainage pipes and do not rely on appearance or smell alone to decide that a beach is safe. Check local or state notices for the current conditions.
#1 Best Overall
- THE ORGINAL DIY BACTERIA TEST KIT that is certified accurate by Good Housekeeping Labs, American Red Cross, Underwriter Labs, and Merck Labs. Designed and developed by our EPA certified scientists. Made in the USA.
- PATENTED TECHNOLOGY: Detects 50 different species of coliform bacteria (including E. coli), as low as 1-organism. Test any freshwater supply.
- 3RD PARTY STERILIZATION: Every Safe Home kit is sterilized by a certified facility (see attached certificate) and guaranteed to be “free from bacteria” before you test. This process assures zero “false positive results” from product contamination, as may be experienced with other kits who skip this sterilization process.
- FAST RESULTS- Get results as quickly as 6 hours. May take up to 72 hours based on incubation conditions, and concentrations of bacteria in the water being tested.
- YOUR PURCHASE MAKES A DIFFERENCE in people’s lives. Safe Home donates a portion of every test kit sale to clean water initiatives around the globe. See attached images with this listing, to learn more.
What symptoms to watch for
Swimming-related illness can affect the stomach and intestines, skin, ears, eyes, lungs, or wounds. Possible symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomachache, fever, headache, rash, swimmer’s ear, cough, sore throat, or eye and lung irritation. Harmful algal bloom exposure can cause hay-fever-like symptoms, skin rash, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; some toxin exposures can affect the liver or kidneys.
Contact a healthcare provider if you become ill after swimming. If you suspect an illness related to a harmful algal bloom, CDC advises contacting a healthcare provider or a Poison Center. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222. When seeking advice, describe the beach and when you were there, whether you swallowed water or had wound contact, and whether you saw a bloom or advisory. If you are concerned about an infected wound, specifically mention that it contacted coastal or brackish water.
Rank #2
- NEXT GENERATION of drinking water test kits, with patented technologies for testing any drinking water supply (City Tap Water or Well Water).
- INCLUDES 10-testing mechanisms that provide testing 12-different parameters (10 Test Strips). See attached image of package-back, for a complete list of parameters to be tested.
- EXCLUSIVE BRAND of water test kits to earn the Good Housekeeping Seal. Named one of the Top-10 New Products at the National Hardware Show. Includes trilingual instructions. Made in the USA!
- YOU GET MORE for your dollar with Safe Home – Our team guides you before, during, and after testing. See details on image with this listing.
- OPTIONAL TESTING AT OUR EPA-CERTIFIED LAB: Inside this same package is a second kit that provides everything needed to collect a water sample and send it to our EPA-certified lab for professional analysis. You have multiple testing packages to choose from, for up to 48 different parameters (see attached list). *Note: Fees are required for optional testing at our EPA-certified lab.
How the type of exposure changes the response
| Exposure | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Possible harmful algal bloom on skin | Rinse promptly with tap water. | CDC recommends rinsing after touching water that may have a harmful bloom. Toxins may sometimes be present without visible bloom signs. |
| Coastal water contacted an open wound | Wash thoroughly with soap and clean running water. Contact a healthcare provider if you become ill or the wound appears infected, and mention the water exposure. | Open wounds can provide an entry route for Vibrio and other germs. People with underlying conditions, especially liver disease, should take this exposure seriously. |
| You swallowed water but have no symptoms | Monitor for illness; contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop. | Swallowed contaminated water can transmit germs, but exposure does not mean illness is certain. The cited guidance gives no special treatment for an asymptomatic person. |
Who should take extra care
Children, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of swimming-related illness, according to CDC. People with weakened immune systems should discuss recreational-water exposure with their healthcare provider. CDC also warns that Cryptosporidium-contaminated recreational water can cause life-threatening symptoms in people with weakened immune systems. For coastal water contacting an open wound, underlying conditions—especially liver disease—are an added concern.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How exposure happens—and how to reduce it
Natural water can contain germs from human or animal waste, including pollution carried by runoff or sewage releases. Swallowing water can expose you to germs; contaminated water can also cause problems through contact with a wound or, in some cases, the ears, eyes, nose, throat, or skin. Harmful algal blooms present a different concern because they can produce toxins.
Rank #3
- 17 IMPORTANT PARAMETERS: The Varify Premium Drinking Water Test Kit offers an unrivaled, complete analysis of your drinking water by testing for 17 essential parameters. This includes crucial tests for chlorine, fluoride, lead, iron, bacteria, and more, ensuring that you're fully informed about the quality of your water. With this extensive range of testing capabilities, you can detect contaminants and imbalances that could affect your health, providing a holistic view of your water's safety.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Varify stands out with its professional-grade quality, ensuring that every test strip in the kit meets the standards of precision and reliability. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this kit is designed to provide you with a dependable and thorough analysis of your water's composition.
- EASY TO USE: Varify's water test strips and Bacteria Test kits feature a user-friendly, color-coded system for quick and precise water quality assessments. With clear color changes indicating various parameters, these strips make complex data easily understandable, ensuring you can evaluate your water's safety effortlessly in just minutes.
- ACCURATE AND RELIABLE: Varify's water test kit comes with 100 strips in 5 separately sealed pouches (20 strips each), preserving freshness and extending shelf life for dependable testing. It also includes 2 easy-to-use bacteria tests that deliver results in 48 hours, ensuring thorough and accurate assessment of your water's safety and cleanliness. This design ensures precision and convenience in monitoring your water quality.
- WATER TESTING KITS THAT GIVE BACK: With every Varify test kit, not only do you secure the safety of your drinking water with our precise and easy-to-use testing solutions, but you also contribute to a global cause. A portion of proceeds goes to Water For Good, fighting water poverty in Central Africa. This means each test not only brings peace of mind to you but also supports #CleanWaterWorldwide, making a real difference in communities in need.
EPA says people are less likely to be exposed to waterborne pathogens if they wade or swim without putting their head under water. Avoiding swallowing water and heeding local advisories can reduce exposure, but neither makes water under a closure safe. EPA describes the health effects associated with polluted beach water at What Affects Human Health at the Beach.
Risk depends on the contaminant, how much water was swallowed, whether water reached a wound, beach conditions, and a person’s health. There is no single risk estimate or testing protocol in the cited guidance for every person who feels well after a swim.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Clear Range: This house water testing kit offers clear, easy to read results and acceptable ranges for all substances. The water contaminant tester delivers clear results on any type of water
- Easy to Use: The water hardness test kit for water softener is as easy as adding the water, setting a timer, and reading the results. The pH strips for water testing come with an easy-to-read results guide
- Easy to Understand: The water tester for drinking water comes with a clear guide on the outside of the bottle that lines up with each strip, from alkaline level to soft characteristic readings
- Data Sheet Included: These water testing kits for drinking water include a data sheet to record readings for later analysis. The complete water tester for chemicals has it all
- Peace of Mind: This well water test kit comes with a 17-in-1 test strip and 2 separate bacteria tests to check for coliform and e coli. Knowing what’s in the water for peace of mind is easy
Rank #4
- 【22-Parameter Water Testing】We provide a complete testing range of 22 essential water quality indicators including Nickel, Zinc, Tin, Copper, Fluoride, Aluminum, Total Chlorine, Nitrite, Nitrate, Iron, Total Hardness, Free Chlorine, Sodium Chloride, Carbonate, Total Alkalinity, pH, Cobalt, Sulfite, Chromium, Cadmium, Lead, and Bacteria. It offers a thorough and professional overview of your water condition
- 【Fast & Simple Operation】High-sensitivity test pads react within seconds. Clear color changes make results easy to interpret using the included color comparison chart—accurate even for beginners
- 【Suitable for Multiple Water Sources】Ideal for tap water, filtered water, RO systems, softeners, well water, pool water, hot tubs, aquariums, and more—perfect for daily water monitoring across different environments
- 【Higher Efficiency & Value vs. Lab Testing】This kit offers a complete set of 16 tests (125 strips) + 4 tests (10 strips) + dedicated lead (2) + bacteria tests (2). Compared with laboratory testing that costs hundreds of dollars and takes days, our kit delivers results within minutes—faster, easier, and far more cost-effective for long-term home monitoring
- 【30+ Years of Expertise】With over 30 years of expertise, SJ WAVE has delivered trusted water testing solutions to millions worldwide. We prioritize quality, accuracy, and user experience—offering 24/7 customer support and expert consultation in collaboration with international laboratories
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
