After a child died from a brain-eating amoeba following exposure to one of its splash pads, the City of Arlington, Texas, adopted new equipment and protocol to protect users of its aquatics facilities and equipment.
The changes came as part of a settlement with the parents of three-year-old Bakari Williams, who died last September after contracting the Naegleria fowleri amoeba at the Don Misenhimer Park splash pad. They were made on the recommendation of an independent auditor and inspectors, commissioned by the Parks and Recreation Department to conduct a thorough review of splash pad equipment and supplies, maintenance and water-quality inspection policies, procedures and training. The city made approximately $600,000 in improvements, including upgrades to chemical testing systems, controllers, and secondary sanitation systems. The city also developed the Bakari Williams Protocol for maintenance.
Among the changes, QR codes were added to signage so visitors can directly access data from the water’s most recent testing, along with other facility information. At splash pads, water will be tested three times per day, and chlorine maintained between 2.5 ppm and 5 ppm, exceeding state minimums. More staff will receive CPO training, and aquatics technicians were moved to the operations division, to work with other skilled trades groups.