Essential Tips for Public Swimming Pool Maintenance

This presentation highlights important requirements for maintaining public swimming pools and spas, including water chemistry guidelines, safety equipment checks, and drain covers regulations. It stresses the significance of yearly pool training and additional certifications for pool operators. For more information, contact NET Health Environmental Health.

• Swimming pool maintenance
• Water chemistry guidelines
• Safety equipment
• Public health
• Environmental health

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1. PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS QUICK REVIEW ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

2. INTRODUCTION This short presentation provides some of the requirements that are important to remember in order to maintain your swimming pool or spa. This is not meant to be an all inclusive list. NET Health provides an annual pool training to its local pool and spa operators 3 times a year. There are other additional certifications that pool operators may obtain to increase their knowledge and expertise in pool operation and safety For more information please contact NET Health Environmental Health at 903-535-0037.

3. WATER CHEMISTRY REQUIREMENTS pH levels 7.0 to 7.8 Combined Chlorine (parts per million): 0.2 ppm or less A low combined chlorine level is recommended Free chlorine (parts per million): Swimming Pools: 1.0 ppm to 8.0 ppm Spas: 2.0 ppm to 8.0 ppm

4. WATER CHEMISTRY REQUIREMENTS 100 ppm or less Reminder: Stabilizer may not be used in indoor pools or spas or brominated pools or spas Cyanuric Acid (CYA) Bromine (disinfectant) Swimming Pools 2.5 ppm to 12 ppm Spas 4.5 ppm to 12.0 ppm

5. OTHER CHEMISTRY PARAMETERS TO CONSIDER AND MAINTAIN: Ideal levels: 80 ppm 120 ppm Total Alkalinity Calcium Hardness Ideal Levels: 200 ppm 400 ppm

6. SAFETY EQUIPMENT Before opening your swimming pool or spa this summer, please also make sure that you have all the required safety equipment AND that they are working properly and/or in good condition. Replace broken/damaged equipment. Keep swimming pool or spa closed until broken/damaged equipment have been replaced.

7. DRAIN COVERS REQUIREMENTS All single main drain suction outlets and suction outlets in less than 4 FT of water depth MUST be protected with a VGB anti-entrapment device. These devices are mechanical and must be checked and verified. Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety (VGB Act) https://dshs.texas.gov/poolspa/baker.aspx All pools must meet the requirements in the VGB Act.

8. REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT EXAMPLES 15-24" USCG ring buoy with attached rope; rope length must be 2/3 max. width of pool; rope diameter " - 3/8" Life pole - 12 ft., non- conducting material with crook permanently attached; non-telescopic. Dividing line at shallow- deep break point (>5 ft) Backboard if lifeguard present; 3 tie down straps with head immobilizer Emergency 911 Phone Accessible (within 200 unimpeded feet) First Aid Kit (Required for all pools with lifeguards)

9. POOL AND SPA SIGNAGE FOR FENCES, WALLS & DECKS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW. Installed inside pool or spa yard in plain view. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911 must be at least one inch (1 ) high letters. Sect. 265.199.j.5 Installed in plain view. WARNING NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY must be at least four inch (4 ) letters. CHILDREN SHOULD NOT . . . must be at least two inches (2 ) high. Sect. 265.199.f.1.C (Pool) Sect. 265.205.f.7 (Spa) Installed in plain view. The letters NO DIVING and the symbol must be at least four inches (4 ) high. Sect. 265.199.f.1.B Installed in plain view. Letters must be at least one inch (1 ) high and maximum user number filled in the proper space. Sect. 265.199.184.n Each entry gate/door of a pool or spa yard that is locked must have a sign on exterior of each entry stating or directing to location of phone. Letters/symbols must be at least one inch (1 ) high. Sect. 265.199.j.4 Located no closer than 5 ft from the spa unless the switch is a non-electrical air switch. Lettering must be at least one inch (1 ) high and located within sight of spa or there must be a sign visible from the spa in letters at least one inch (1 ) high stating location of emergency switch. Sect. 265.192 m Securely mounted and readily visible to the spa user from inside spa enclosure. All letters must be at least one inch (1 ) high. Sect. 265.205.f.7 4 FT Signage on the deck: Markers showing depth & unit of measurement must be at least four inches (4 ) in height; be of contrasting, permanent color; and placed at 2-foot increments of depth in the shallow and deep ends of pool. Sect. 265.199 c and 265.199 d EMERGENCY SHUT OFF SWITCH FOR SPA Signage on the deck: Warning words NO DIVING & the international no diving symbol in contrasting colors and letters at least four inches (4 ) high must be placed where water depth is 6 feet or less and at every 25 feet or fraction thereof around pool area. A permanent structure within 5 feet of water surface must also have symbol and words permanently affixed to the structure. Sect 265.199.e.1 and 2 These pictures are for illustration purposes only. Refer to Texas Administrative Code Standards for Public Pools and Spa; Section 265 181 265.208 for complete rules and regulations. www.dshs.state.tx.us/poolspa/rules.shtm

10. GATES & FENCING Gates: Fence: Self-closing and self-latching No magnetic gates allowed Release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3" below the top of the gate The gate or barrier shall have no opening greater than within 18" of the release mechanism The latch may be located on the outside of the pool gate if the latch is not less than 60" from the bottom of the gate. 48" height, 4" diameter sphere spacing No climbable structures within 36" of fence Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members, the distance between the horizontal members shall not be less than 45" Doors, openable windows, or gates of living quarters or associated private premises shall not be permitted as part of the pool enclosure. Other local or city codes may still apply or be more strict.

11. Suction outlet or drain cover is broken, removed, or loose - POOL MUST BE CLOSED IMMEDIATELTY AND PUMP MUST NOT BE OPERATED! Sanitizer not at minimum levels or at excess levels Pool clarity (main drain not visible) or filtration equipment failure Suction entrapment or other hazards presenting an imminent threat to health and safety of swimmers Any safety equipment not available or accessible Lack of protective enclosure to include self-closing//locking mechanism on entrances to pool area Emergency 911 phone not working properly REASONS FOR CLOSURE OF SWIMMING POOL OR SPA

12. RECREATIONAL WATER ILLNESS (RWI) Pool or spa water is still able to transmit illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, or protozoans It is important for pool and spa operator to maintain their pool or spa, including maintain the required disinfection levels, in order to minimize the risk for transmission of RWIs. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi.html

13. OTHER HELPFUL WEBLINKS https://dshs.texas.gov/poolspa/default.aspx https://open.texas.gov/ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/index.html https://www.nspf.org/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/aquatic- venues.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/park- administrators.html

14. LAST BUT NOT LEAST.. In summary, this basic overview provides some of the requirements for operating public swimming pools or spas. You, the pool or spa operator, play a vital role in maintaining swimming pools or spas safe for the public to enjoy. Thank you for all the hard work that you do!