Documents show water at Fort Rapids caused health problems among guests

Newly released documents from the Ohio Department of Agriculture show additional problems the Fort Rapids Water Park was experiencing.

These new documents are the first look at what was in the water.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees certain aspects of the park, shows that the facility was actually causing health problems among some guests.

The records show from 2015 and early 2016, guests were complaining about getting sick.

Complaints ranged from asthma attacks and bronchitis to vomiting in the park and halls. The problem, they said, was high levels of chlorine.

Violations against Fort Rapids Water Park were reported by multiple agencies

There were also several reports of human feces being found in the water.

Problems got so bad, Columbus Health officials asked the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to get involved.

The Department of Agriculture also fined the park for not making repairs by their deadline.

City officials have told us that they were preparing to object to Fort Rapids if they tried to renew their license.

You can view the new documents from the Department of Agriculture by clicking here.

A history of issues

The Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park & Resort has had a history with violations and issues. Below is a list of those past problems:

• Columbus Public Health had notified Koo Seafood Buffet and Grill of a proposal to revoke their food service license on January 27. The proposal was set forward after receiving 75 violations, 49 of which were critical, in a one year span (Jan. 2015 – Jan. 2016). Those violations includes employees not washing their hands and cans of cockroach spray being stored at the waitress station near the buffet. – Click here to read the full report
• A letter from Columbus Public Health to Fort Rapids in December 2015 outlined several issues with the resort. Among them includes air quality in the water park and complaints about bed bugs and roaches in the hotel. – Click here to read the letter
• A report from Columbus Public Health in July 2015 shows the results of several illnesses related to chlorine vapors in the water park. The park was advised to keep indoor temperatures 2-5 degrees higher than the water temperature. – Click here to read the full report