Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Despite several warnings, several people head to the fountains in Clinton Square to cool off on a hot day. The water doesn’t look unsafe, but city officials say the water is untreated and there are several strains of bacteria in the water.
The water always re-circulates and bacteria from birds and other animals multiply, making it unsafe for humans. All of this, added to the fact that there is trash in the water and no lifeguard on duty makes it even more unsafe.
Mother Jennifer Minguez says it’s simply more convenient to bring her kids out to enjoy the fountain the fact that it’s illegal doesn’t really concern her.
“Kind of, but not really, ‘cuz it’s like worse in our house, so I’d rather bring them out here and chance it so they can cool off and get some of relief in the water. They love it,” Minguez said.
“I wish someone would do a chemical report and let us know what they find in the water because it’s going to be a lot of dangerous things. Kids get in here and they splash it in their mouths; someone could get really sick, someone could possibly die from bird flu or something like that,” said Brian Stephenson, who thinks the fountain is unsafe.
Swimming in the fountain can get you up to a $500 fine, so the city encourages people to cool down at
city pools. All eight of the city’s pools will open up on June 25.
