Swimming Pool Booklet/Guidelines

WHO MAKES THE RULES?

ADEQ – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
ADHS – Arizona Department of Health Services

REGULATIONS

ADEQ

Regulates the construction of semi-public and public swimming pools and spas per Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 5, Article 2.
After the “Approval of Construction” is given, the pools and spas are
under the regulation of ADHS.

ADHS

Regulates the operation of semi-public and public swimming pools and spas.
ADHS delegates the inspection of pools and spas to the County Environmental Health Departments.

THE REGULATIONS & THE REGULATORS

The regulations of the Arizona Department of Health Service (ADHS) are found in the Arizona Administrative Code Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 8.
Mohave County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division is the delegated regulator in Mohave County.

MAINTENANCE OF POOLS & SPAS

The surface of the water must be free of scum and floating debris.
The bottom and sides of the pool or spa must be free from sediment, dirt, slime and algae.
The main drain must be visible from the deck.
Water recirculation must be “24/7”. No time clocks are allowed.

THE DAILY LOG

“The chemical disinfection level, pH, total alkalinity, and temperature of the water is tested at least once daily*; and a daily operating log that includes the results of the test and is available to a regulatory authority or a member of the public upon request.” A.A.C. 9-8-803(A)

* Spa water must be maintained below 104˚F

CHLORINATION

Pools must be chlorinated by using an automatic chlorinator that is connected to the recirculation system.
Do not put chlorine tablets in the skimmers.
Do not use floating chlorinators.

TESTING CHLORINE RESIDUAL

Use a DPD test kit to test the chlorine residual.
- “OTO” kits are not to be used; these are the kits that the chlorine results are a yellow color.
For swimming pools the chlorine must register between 1.0ppm and 3.0ppm.
For spas the chlorine must register between 3.0ppm and 5.0ppm.
If the residual is below or above these numbers, the spa or pool must be posted closed.

CHECK THE CHLORINE

Be sure to take your sample at least 12” to 18” below the water surface.
Do not sample near an inlet.
If the sample starts to turn PINK, then goes completely clear…it may have tested as a “flash-over.” This means that the water is so overchlorinated that the DPD reagent is washed out.
Close the pool or spa to bathers until the chlorine level is at acceptable levels.

TESTING pH

pH is the measurement of the amount of acid in the pool or spa. It is important for the effective use of chlorine that the pH is between 7.2 and 7.8.
Use phenol red as the pH indicator and verify the
amount by using the color comparator.
The pool or spa must be posted closed if the pH falls below 7.2 or is above 7.8.

CLUES TO STRANGE pH READINGS

A yellowish color indicates very low pH; this can cause bather eye and skin irritation and equipment corrosion.
Purple color can occur when the sanitizer (chlorine) is over 10ppm.
Dark brown, syrup-like color happens when the chlorine is in excess of 100ppm!!

TOTAL ALKALINITY

Testing of total alkalinity is necessary to maintain proper pH. When T.A. is not in the proper range, bathing water can experience “pH bounce.” In other words, it can be high one day and low the next day.
Total Alkalinity must be maintained between 60ppm and 100ppm.
Use appropriate chemicals to raise or lower total alkalinity.

CYANURIC ACID

Cyanuric acid must not exceed 150ppm.
CYA is used as a “stabilizer” for chlorine.
CYA probably has little effect on pH; it does for ma weak, temporary bond with chlorine.
ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) is reduced as the CYA is increased.
Too much CYA can contribute to cloudy water and algae growth.
Cyanuric acid can only be reduced by draining some of the water and adding fresh water.

ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential)

ORP must be equal or greater than 650 millivolts.
- “The oxidation-reduction potential defines the capability of a substance to wither release or gain free electrons.” In other words, it measures how quickly bacteria will be destroyed in relation to sanitizer and pH.
- Studies show that at pH of 7.2 to 7.6, the kill time of E.Coli organisms is a fraction of a second at ORP of 650mV.

SHOCK TREATMENT

“Shock treatment means adding chlorine to water to elevate the free chlorine residual to 20ppm and destroy ammonia and nitrogenous and organic contaminants in the water.”
An operator of a pool or spa, “May add dry or liquid disinfectant directly into the swimming pool or spa for shock treatment.”
The operator must post a sign that the pool or spa has been shocked with chlorine. Do not reopen unless chemical standards are met.

DANGERS OF FECAL CONTAMINATION

There was an E.Coli 0157:H7 outbreak in June of 1998 that affected 8 children in an Atlanta, Georgia water park. Six of the children had “hemolytic uremic syndrome,” which attacks the red blood cells, kidneys and potentially the heart and brain. These children were treated with kidney dialysis, blood transfusions and respirators.

WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A FECAL CONTAMINATION…

Solid Feces

Everyone exits the pool or spa.
The pool or spa is posted closed.
Remove the feces and dispose in a toilet.
Test the water for required chemical levels.
Re-open pool or spa only is water quality standards are met.

Liquid Feces

Everyone exits the pool or spa.
The pool or spa is posted closed for at least 24 hours.
Remove as much of the liquid feces as possible and dispose in a toilet.
Apply shock treatment.
Test the water 24 hours later.
Do not re-open pool or spa until water quality standards are met.

Further Action for a Fecal Incident

Be sure to backwash the filter after treatment.
It is not recommended to vacuum up the feces.
Establish a “fecal accident log.”
- Document: the date, time, formed or liquid (diarrhea), free available chlorine (at the time of the event and before reopening), pH, and the procedures followed in response to the accident.
Advise your local Environmental Health office.

MAXIMUM BATHING LOADS

For pools add: the shallow area divided by 10 square feet and the deep area divided by 24 square feet.

Example
Shallow 10 x 20 = 200 sq. ft/20 sq. ft = 20 bathers
Deep 20 x 20 = 400 sq. ft/24 sq. ft = 17 bathers
(Deep area is the portion that is more than 5 ft. deep)
Maximum bathers: 20 + 17 = 37 persons in the pool at one time.

For a spa: do not exceed the area of the spa divided by nine square feet.

Example
A = πr2
A = 3.14 x 6ft2
A = 3.14 x 36
Area = 113
A = 113/9 sq. ft. = 13 people maximum

SIGNS

The following signs must be posted

Proper Use s Instructions (must post within 50 ft. of the pool and/or spa)

Use the toilet before entering the pool or spa;
Take a shower before entering the pool or spa;
Do not enter the pool with a cold, skin or other body infection, open wound, diarrhea, or any other contagious condition;
If incontinent, wear tight fitting rubber or plastic pants or a swim diaper; and
Observe all safety regulations.

No Diving sign

Maximum Bathing Load sign(s)

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT

RING BUOY with 50 ft. or ¼” rope attached is required to be accessible.
A SHEPHERD CROOK attached to a 16’ pole is required.

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTIONS

Follow-up inspections will be conducted by the Environmental Health Division when the following are observed.

Disinfectant, pH, alkalinity* or cyanuric acid* levels not in required range as required by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Main drain cover missing from main drain of pool.
Main drain not visible from the deck.
Once or more pieces of safety equipment missing from pool area or safety equipment not up to code (required shepherd’s crook, life ring with attached 50 feet of rope).
Pool gate(s) not self-closing and/or self-latching.
Pool fence gaps more than 4 inches wide.
Bottom and sides of pool not free of algae growth.*
Filter and/or pump not functioning properly.
Two or more required signs missing from or not within immediate view of the pool and/or spa area (required maximum bathing loads for pool and/or spa, proper use instructions posted within 50 feet of pool and/or spa, and no diving sign).
A spa that is found to be over 104ºF.
Any other item deemed an imminent public health hazard by the inspector at time of inspection.

* The pool and/or spa will be closed at the time of inspection if any of the above items exist except for those marked with an asterisk. All the above require a follow-up inspection. A follow-up fee will be charged to the establishment.