Arsenic in geothermal pools becomes issue

SARATOGA SPRINGS (AP) — A set of geothermal pools in Saratoga Springs has been bathing people for a century.

Turns out the pools contain arsenic, and new state regulations could shut it down.

Instead of being alarmed, residents of a private development that took over the pools are outraged that health officials are trying to apply drinking-water standards to the bathing springs.

The limit for arsenic in drinking water is one part per billion, and the pools exceed that by three or four times.

The state is proposing the new rule because many geothermal pools around the state are unable or unwilling to comply with the public pool standards requiring chlorination.