Online outrage has erupted over footage of a man caught performing a shocking act in a children's pool, leaving parents fuming. The viral video shows the man clad in grey camouflage swimming shorts, bending over to soap himself in the shallow waters as oblivious children play nearby.

In a distressing twist, he then proceeds to wash his rear in plain sight of all present. Since being shared on Facebook, the video has racked up over a million views, with many slamming the man's behaviour as "disgusting".

Captured in Palmerston North, New Zealand, an incredulous voice in the background is heard saying: "What the ... he's got soap, aye. Bro, it's not a bath." And as the man continues cleaning himself, the voice adds: "Oi, he's washing his f**king a**." A woman's voice also expresses disgust, and another bystander warns, "Kids, get out of the pool."

The footage has sparked thousands of comments from both locals and those further away, some expressing concern that such actions could spread illness. One comment detailed a harrowing experience where similar behaviour at a spa pool resulted in severe sickness, highlighting the potential health risks associated with such inappropriate conduct.

A mum expressed her astonishment over a man's unorthodox pool hygiene, claiming the local swimming spot used to be her "favourite" for family outings. She questioned the situation incredulously: "Why is no one saying anything? What's wrong [with] this guy? No common sense and clearly no running water at home."

Yet, some users quickly jumped in to defend the cleanliness-conscious swimmer, with one woman countering: "What's wrong? I mean isn't it normal to shower/wash with soap etc. after a swim anyway? It's OK for kids with stink a***s to swim in a chlorinated pool but not OK for a man to clean himself after a swim? Who's really the yuck one? The ones who bring their kids here unknowing what happens in those waters or the one who uses soap in a pool with chemicals that'll kill germs anyway? ".

As allegations flew about the man being "mentally unwell" community members debated why someone hadn't stepped up to address him directly, reports The Mirror, highlighting a need for civility, as one commenter put forth: "I agree the behaviour is [disgusting] but I also would have spoken up in the moment not plastered it everywhere."

In the wake of the poolside soap saga, The Mirror has reached out to Palmerston North City Council seeking their stance on the matter.