Thermal Water–Supplied Swimming Pools: A Scoping Review of Regulatory Frameworks, Disinfection Challenges, and Emerging Contaminants

Thermal water–supplied swimming pools are increasingly used worldwide for recreation, wellness, and therapeutic purposes. However, their management presents unique challenges due to the complex physicochemical properties of thermal and mineral waters and the need to ensure microbiological safety while preserving their natural characteristics. This scoping review examines the main health benefits and safety issues associated with thermal pools and provides a comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks governing these facilities in 39 countries worldwide. Particular attention is dedicated to microbiological hazards, chemical risks related to disinfection practices, and the potential formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in treated thermal waters. The review also discusses emerging contaminants (CECs), including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and the potential role of thermal water environments in the spread of antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance. The analysis highlights significant global heterogeneity in regulatory approaches, especially regarding disinfection strategies and water quality monitoring. Interactions between natural water composition, anthropogenic contaminants, and disinfection processes may create chemically complex mixtures whose toxicological implications remain insufficiently studied. Adopting a One Health perspective, this review emphasizes the need for integrated management strategies and more harmonized regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe and sustainable use of thermal water pools.