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Analytical Report Swimmer Survey Crystal Water Systems December 17, 1996 Key Findings When asked "If you have a choice between two pools--one with the old level of chlorine and one using ionizing equipment to reduce chlorine--which will you choose?" respondents chose the pool with ionizing equipment by a 76% to 2% margin. This result is a resounding endorsement of the new equipment Many swimmers seemed to notice and react positively to the decrease in the pool's chlorine level. Respondents rated the chlorine level more favorably in the post-test than in the pre-test. In addition, chlorine-related complaints dropped more significantly after the new equipment's installation. When asked if they thought that the level of chlorine in the pool increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the past two weeks, 47% of post-test respondents thought that the chlorine level had decreased. Two-thirds of respondents think that it is a good idea to reduce the amount of chlorine in a pool. Introduction The research was designed to ascertain the level of user satisfaction with the new ionizing equipment at the Brookline pool. It tried to answer the following questions: Did swimmers notice the new equipment? Did satisfaction with the pool change after the introduction of the new equipment? Did the number of chlorine-related complaints decline after the introduction? How do people feel about the concept of reducing chlorine in pools? Research was conducted in two phases, Wave 1 (the pre-test) and Wave 2 (the post-test). Wave 1 occurred about two weeks before the introduction of the new ionizing equipment and Wave 2 occurred about three months after the equipment's introduction. During both Wave 1 and Wave 2, 100 swimmers at the Brookline Pool were given the attached questionnaire to fill out (questions 16-18 only appeared on the Wave 2 questionnaire). Most swimmers questioned in the survey were regular or occasional swimmers at the pool, and most tend to swim from 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Research Findings Most respondents give a positive assessment of the pool, both in the pre-test and post-test. There was virtually no change in general assessment between the tests. 2. On a scale of excellent, good, only fair and poor, how would you rate your experience at this pool? 1. Excellent 2. Good 3. Only fair 4. Poor 5. (d.k.)
Wave 1 34% 59 6 1 - Wave 2 36% 55 9 - - In the pre-test, respondents gave the most favorable responses for the following pool qualities (in order of decreasing popularity): the general condition of the pool, cleanliness of the areas around the pool, and general behavior of others using the pool. Respondents gave lower ratings for water temperature and especially for amount of chlorine present in the pool (mean 6.93). Post-test results show increased satisfaction with the level of chlorine. Respondents rated the chlorine level more favorably in the post-test than in the pre-test. This suggests that swimmers are responding positively to the introduction of the ionizing equipment. Respondents rated the following pool qualities most favorably in the post-test: the general condition of the pool, water temperature, and general behavior of others using the pool. Absolutely terrible As good as can be 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mean 0-1 2-4 5 6-8 9-10 3. The general condition of the pool Wave 1 7.84 - 3 7 58 33 Wave 2 7.69 - 5 4 57 34 4. The amount of chlorine present in the pool Wave 1 6.93 1 13 11 50 26 Wave 2 7.34 1 7 15 45 32 5. Cleanliness of the areas around the pool Wave 1 7.69 2% 6 5 48 40 Wave 2 7.20 - 7 13 54 26 6. Water temperature Wave 1 7.16 2% 11 11 42 35 Wave 2 7.49 2% 11 4 48 35 7. General behavior of others using the pool Wave 1 7.55 - 9 4 55 32 Wave 2 7.47 - 7 6 57 29 The post-test results suggest that people approve of the new ionizing equipment and derive more satisfaction from the pool since the equipment's introduction. In particular, chlorine-related complaints dropped significantly after the equipment was installed. 8. When swimming in this pool, are you ever bothered by the chlorine used in the pool? 1. Yes 2. No 3. Don't Know Yes No DK Wave 1 47% 52 1 Wave 2 32% 66 2 Since the pre-test, there is a definite drop in chlorine-related complaints. Whereas in the pre-test, almost half of respondents reports that they had been bothered by the chlorine used in the pool, in the post-test this percentage dropped to a third. All complaints declined since the pre-test, with the exception of bleaching of bathing suits or other clothing. Complaints of eye irritation from chlorine and odor of chlorine on skin or hair dropped the most. There were also less complaints of bleaching of hair and skin irritation, dry skin, or rash. Lets just make sure. I'm going to read you some problems people sometimes encounter because of chlorine. Please tell me whether you have frequently, sometimes, hardly ever or never encountered each problem because of the chlorine in this pool. SCALE: 1. Frequently 2. Sometimes 3. Hardly ever 4. Never 5. (Don't know) 1 2 3 4 5 9. Eye irritation Wave 1 31% 30 11 28 - Wave 2 15% 31 14 38 3 10. Skin irritation, dry skin, or rash Wave 1 14% 31 12 42 1 Wave 2 10% 24 11 51 4 11. Bleaching of hair Wave 1 10% 11 8 69 2 Wave 2 4% 8 7 75 6 12. Bleaching of bathing suits or other clothing Wave 1 12% 16 6 60 6 Wave 2 12% 15 17 47 10 13. Odor of chlorine on skin or hair Wave 1 41% 30 7 20 2 Wave 2 31% 35 18 14 3 Many respondents seemed to realize that the chlorine level in the pool had decreased. When asked if they thought that the level of chlorine in the pool increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the past two weeks, just under half of post-test respondents thought that the chlorine level had decreased. Only 2% felt that it had increased. In the pre-test, 15% of respondents thought that the level had decreased. Those who felt that the chlorine level had decreased cited fewer side effects and no dry or smelly skin as reasons for their conviction. 4. Just in the past two weeks, do you think the level of chlorine in the pool has increased, decreased or stayed about he same? 1. Increased 2. Decreased 3. Stayed the same 4. (d.k.) 1 2 3 DK Wave 1 9% 15 42 34 Wave 2 2% 47 21 31 5. Why do you say that? Decreased Fewer side effects 82 No dry/smelly skin 2 Read article 5 Due to ionization 3 DK/Refused 3 Q. 16-18: Post Test Sample Only When asked if they would be surprised if told that the amount of chlorine in the pool had been reduced by almost half since the installation of new ionizing equipment, 64% of respondents answered that they would not be surprised, while 24% reported that they would be surprised. 16. If I told you that the amount of chlorine used in the pool has been reduced by almost half since the pool installed new ionizing equipment to purify the water, would ou be surprised or not? 1. Surprised 2. Not surprised 3. (Not sure) 1 2 3 Wave 1 - - - Wave 2 24% 64 12 Two-thirds think that it is a good idea to reduce the chlorine level in the pool, while 4% think that it is not and one-third are not sure. 17. In general, do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea to try to reduce the amount of chlorine in the pool or not? 1. Good idea 2. Not a good idea 3. (Not sure) 1 2 3 Wave 1 - - - Wave 2 67% 4 29 When given the hypothetical choice between using a pool with the old level of chlorine and one using ionizing equipment to reduce chlorine, 76% opt of the pool with the ionizing equipment (Question 18). Only 2% would choose the pool with the old level of chlorine, and 22% are unsure. In sun, many swimmers seem to be noticing the reduction in chlorine and reacting positively to it. 18. If you have a choice between two pools--one with the old level of chlorine and one using ionizing equipment to reduce chlorine--which will you choose? 1. Old level 2. Ionizing equipment 3. (Not sure) 1 2 3 Wave 1 - - - Wave 2 2% 76 22 Conclusion To the extent that user satisfaction is the measure of the success of a product or process, the test of ionization equipment at the Brookline pool is clearly an unqualified success. When asked "If you have a choice between two pools--one with the old level of chlorine and one using ionizing equipment to reduce chlorine--which will you choose?" respondents chose the pool with ionizing equipment by a 76% to 2% margin. This result is a resounding endorsement of the new equipment. Swimmers seem to notice the decrease in chlorine. Chlorine-related complaints dropped in Wave 2. In addition, respondents gave the pool a better rating for "amount of chlorine present in the pool" during Wave 2 (6.93 Wave 1, 7.34 Wave 2: 10 meaning "as good as it could be"). However, swimmers' general assessment of the pool remained stable across the tests. Q. 2 On a scale of excellent, good, only fair and poor, how would you rate your experience at this pool?
Q. 8 When swimming in this pool, are you ever bothered by the chlorine used in the pool?
Q. 9-13 Please tell me whether you have frequently or sometimes encountered these problems because of the chlorine in this pool.
Q. 14 Just in the past two weeks, do you think the level of chlorine in the pool has increased, decreased or stayed about the same?
Q. 16 If I told you that the amount of chlorine used in the pool has been reduced by almost half, would you be surprised or not?
Q. 17 In general, do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea to try to reduce the amount of chlorine in the pool?
Q. 18 If you have a choice between two pools-one with the old level of chlorine and one using ionizing equipment to reduce chlorine-which will you choose?
1. First of all, are you a regular, occasional, or infrequent user of this pool? 1. Regular 2. Occasional 3. Infrequent 1 2 3 Wave 1 60% 27 13 Wave 2 51% 25 24 2. On a scale if excellent, good, only fair and poor, how would you rate your experience at this pool? 1. Excellent 2. Good 3. Only fair 4. Poor 5. (d.k.) 1 2 3 4 5 Wave 1 34% 59 6 1 - Wave 2 36% 55 9 - - I'm going to read you some qualities that might describe a swimming pool. Thinking only about swimming experience you have just had, I'd like you to rate the pool on each of these qualities on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 meaning absolutely terrible to 10 meaning as good as it could be. Absolutely terrible As good as can be 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mean 0-1 2-4 5 6-8 9-10 3. The general condition of the pool Wave 1 7.84 - 3 7 58 33 Wave 2 7.69 - 5 4 57 34 4. The amount of chlorine present in the pool Wave 1 6.93 1 13 11 50 26 Wave 2 7.34 1 7 15 45 32 5. Cleanliness of the areas around the pool Wave 1 7.69 2% 6 5 48 40 Wave 2 7.20 - 7 13 54 26 6. Water temperature Wave 1 7.16 2% 11 11 42 35 Wave 2 7.49 2% 11 4 48 35 7. General behavior of others using the pool Wave 1 7.55 - 9 4 55 32 Wave 2 7.47 - 7 6 57 29 8. When swimming in this pool, are you ever bothered by the chlorine used in the pool? 1. Yes 2. No 3. Don't Know
Yes No DK Wave 1 47% 52 1 Wave 2 32% 66 2 Let's just make sure. I'm going to read you some problems people sometimes encounter because of chlorine. Please tell me whether you have frequently, sometimes, hardly ever or never encountered each problem because of the chlorine in this pool. SCALE: 1. Frequently 2. Sometimes 3. Hardly ever 4. Never 5. (Don't know) 1 2 3 4 5 9. Eye irritation Wave 1 31% 30 11 28 - Wave 2 15% 31 14 38 3 10. Skin irritation, dry skin, or rash Wave 1 14% 31 12 42 1 Wave 2 10% 24 11 51 4 11. Bleaching of hair Wave 1 10% 11 8 69 2 Wave 2 4% 8 7 75 6 12. Bleaching of bathing suits or other clothing Wave 1 12% 16 6 60 6 Wave 2 12% 15 17 47 10 13. Odor of chlorine on skin or hair Wave 1 41% 30 7 20 2 Wave 2 31% 35 18 14 3 14. Just in the past two weeks, do you think the level of chlorine in the pool has increased, decreased or stayed about the same? 1. Increased 2. Decreased 3. Stayed the same 4. (d.k.) 1 2 3 DK Wave 1 9% 15 42 34 Wave 2 2% 47 21 31 15. Why do you say that? Total Increased Decreased Same No difference/same/can't tell 29% 9 - 78 Fewer side effects 27% - 82 3 No dry/smelly skin 6% - 21 1 1s time here/1st time this year 6% - - - Feel side effects (More) 4% 73 2 - Read article 1% - 5 - Due to ionization 1% - 3 - Other 5% 18 - 8 DK/Refused 26% - 3 17
Post Test Sample Only 6. If I told you that the amount of chlorine used in the pool has been reduced by almost half since the pool installed new ionizing equipment to purify the water, would you be surprised or not? 1. Surprised 2. Not surprised 3. (Not sure) 1 2 3 Wave 1 - - - Wave 2 24% 64 12 7. In general, do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea to try to reduce the amount of chlorine in the pool or not? 1. Good idea 2. Not a good idea 3. (Not sure) 1 2 3 Wave 1 - - 100 Wave 2 67% 4 29 8. If you have a choice between two pools--one with the old level of chlorine and one using ionizing equipment to reduce chlorine--which will you choose? 1. Old level 2. Ionizing equipment 3. (Not sure) 1 2 4 Wave 1 - - 100 Wave 2 2 76 22 9. Sex: 1. Male 2. Female Male Female Wave 1 44% 56 Wave 2 54 46
20. In which of the following groups is your age? 1. 16-25 2. 26-40 3. 41-60 4. Over 60 5. Refused 1 2 3 4 5 Wave 1 19% 42 32 6 1 Wave 2 29% 42 28 2 - 21. How long, on average, do you swim per visit? 1. Less than 30 min. 2. 30 min to less than 1 hour 3. 1 hour to less than 1 1/2 hours 4. 1 1/2 hours to less than 2 hours 5. 2 or more hours 6. (DK/ref) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wave 1 7% 57 25 6 5 - Wave 2 3% 52 30 4 11 - |
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