Public Swimming Pools & Spas

All swimming pools and spas in the City used by the public are routinely inspected by Environmental Health Officers to check for compliance with the Public and Environmental Health (General) Regulations 2006 and associated standards:

To assist Local Government Councils and pool operators, the Department of Health has published two codes:

» Standard for the Operation of Swimming Pools and Spa Pools in SA
» Standard for the Inspection and Maintenance of Swimming Pool and Spa Pool in SA

These codes have been prepared to assist operators of public swimming pools or spa pools to ensure that pool management and water quality are maintained at a standard that does not jeopardise the health or well-being of pool users.

Also available are three supplements to the Codes

» Supplement A: Waterslides
» Supplement B: Hydrotherapy Pools
» Bromine Disinfection

An inspection involves an on-site analysis of several water quality parameters, including free chlorine, total chlorine or bromine, total alkalinity, temperature, pH and cyanuric acid (outdoor swimming pools only). Pool maintenance records are also checked during an inspection to ensure that maintenance procedures meet the requirements of the Public and Environmental Health Regulations.

Risks associated with swimming pools and spas

Public swimming pools and spas can be very popular. However, if they are not properly maintained they can be a source of harmful microorganisms that can cause illness to uses. Bathers and the environment can introduce pollutants to pool water, which may lead to the spread of infectious diseases. Poorly maintained chemical levels can also cause problems such as skin rashes and irritated eyes. Managers of public pools are responsible for ensuring that the facilities they are providing are safe and hygienic.

Spa pools can create a greater risk of infection than swimming pools if they are poorly maintained. The warm aerated water provides an ideal environment for the rapid growth of many undesirable microorganisms. Spa pools have large numbers of people entering a small volume of water, therefore the organic and microbial loading may become more concentrated. This can have dramatic and adverse effects on the water quality, potentially placing the health of users at risk.

Disinfection levels

Swimming pools

Chlorine disinfection

*If, at any time while a public swimming pool is open for use, the free chlorine concentration in the water exceeds 10mg/L, the pool must immediately be closed to the public.

Note: Stabilisers (Cyanuric Acid) are not to be used in indoor swimming pools.

Bromine disinfection

*It is recommended that where BCDMH is used as the pool water disinfectant the total alkalinity should be maintained in the range 150-200mg/L.

^ It is advised that if at any time, while a public swimming pool is open for use, the total bromine concentration in the water exceeds 20mg/L, the pool should immediately be made unavailable to the public.

Spa pools

Chlorine disinfection

*If, at any time while a public spa pool is open for use, the free chlorine concentration in the water exceeds 10mg/L, the spa must immediately be closed to the public.

Note: Stabilisers (Cyanuric Acid) are not to be used in spa pools.

Bromine disinfection

*It is recommended that where BCDMH is used as the pool water disinfectant the total alkalinity should be maintained in the range 150-200mg/L.
^ It is advised that if at any time, while a public spa pool is open for use, the total bromine
concentration in the water exceeds 20mg/L, the spa should immediately be made unavailable
to the public.

Fact sheets

» Cryptosporidiosis Fact Sheet
» Faecal Release Response Sheet
» Private Swimming Pool Fact Sheet (Department of Health SA)
» Private Spa Pools Fact Sheet (Department of Health SA)

Sources:
Department of Health SA web page (2008)
Standard for the Operation of Swimming Pools and Spa Pools in SA