Recreational Water
Public recreational water includes public pools, public spas, public wading pools, splash pads/spray pads, and public beaches.
Operators
Recreational water facilities and COVID-19
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Revised Regulation: Public Pools (Ontario Regulation 565/90)
A revised Public Pool Regulation that applies to the operation of public pools, spas and Class “C” facilities (wading pools, splash pads, receiving basins) came into force July 1, 2018. There are several changes to the Regulation including operator training, pool chemistry, lifeguard qualifications, safety requirements and maintenance.
View the revised Ontario Regulation 565/90
Legislative overview |
Public Pool Regulation 565Ontario Public Health Standards:
"The Board of Health shall publicly disclose results of all inspections or information in accordance with the Recreational Water Protocol, 2018." Recreational Water Protocol, 2018"The Board of Health shall publicly disclose a summary report on each routine and complaint based inspection of all pools, spas and splash pads."
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Summary of changes applicable to pools |
Prior to openingSection 5(1) & 5(3):The owner or owner’s agent shall notify the Medical Officer of Health or public health inspector in writing at least 14 days prior to commencing operation after construction, alteration or a closure of more than four weeks. Current requirement: with the exception of the 14 days notice, the requirements remain the same. Inspection resultsSection 5(4):Pool operator shall ensure the results of any inspections conducted by a PHI are posted as per the inspector’s request. Operator trainingSection 6(2):Every operator shall be trained in public pool operation and maintenance, filtration systems, water chemistry and all relevant safety and emergency procedures. Current requirement: only a designated operator is required. Class B pool operating as Class A:Section 6(4):Class B pools can be operated as a Class A pool if the MOH/PHI is notified in advance of the intent to operate as a Class A pool, all safety and supervision requirements comply with those of a Class A pool and the pool is able to increase the rate of water turnover to that of a Class A pool. Water chemistry - a range specified for each parameter
Current requirement:
Stabilized poolsOutdoor pools:
No cyanuric acid stabilization shall be used 30 minutes prior to openingTotal alkalinity must be tested 30 minutes prior to opening in addition to pH, FAC, total chlorine or bromine residuals. Current requirement: only chlorine, bromine and pH have to be checked 30 minutes prior. Pools with automatic sensing deviceInitial manual testing of total alkalinity, pH, FAC, TC or bromine residuals and water clarity a minimum of 30 minutes prior to opening. Same parameters must be further checked with the automatic sensing device at least every four hours until the daily use period has ended. Current requirement: "… the operator shall at least once every day determine, by means of manual test methods, the pH value and the free available and the total chlorine residuals or the bromine residual to ensure that the automatic sensing devices continue to maintain proper control of the pH value and the disinfectant residual." Make-up waterMinimum of 15 L/bather Current requirement: 20+ L/bather Records
Current requirement: total number of bathers admitted to the pool each day. Lifeguard qualificationsCertificate issued by Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross or equivalent training from another organization. Current requirement: National Lifeguard Service’s Lifeguard Certificate. Assistant lifeguard qualificationsCertificate issued by Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross or equivalent training from another organization. Current requirement: Royal Life Saving Society Canada’s Bronze Cross or Award of Distinction. Admission standardClass A pool: "A process must be in place to ensure a guardian or designated person supervises children under 10 years of age. The process must include a swimming competency test and a method of communicating the requirements of the process." First aid kit
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Summary of changes applicable to spas |
Prior to openingSection 5(1) & 5(3):The owner or owner’s agent shall notify the Medical Officer of Health or public health inspector in writing at least 14 days prior to commencing operation after construction, alteration or a closure of more than four weeks. Current requirement: with the exception of the 14 days notice, the requirements remain the same. Inspection resultsSection 5(4):Public spa operator shall ensure the results of any inspections conducted by a PHI are posted as per the inspector’s request. Water chemistry - a range specified for each parameterSection 7(8)(a):Total alkalinity range of 80-120 ppm Current requirement: not less than 80 mg/l. Section 7(8)(f):Spa equipped with automatic sensing device – ORP range 600 – 900 mV Current requirement: Reg. 428/05, Sec. 6(1)(d) - ORP not less than 700 mV. StabilizerSection 7(10)(2):For all spas, no cyanurate stabilization shall be used. Current requirement: Reg. 428, Sec. 6(1)(e) - Cyanuric acid concentration not greater than 150 mg/l. Spas with automatic sensing deviceSection 7(12):After the initial manual testing of total alkalinity, pH, FAC, TC or bromine residuals, water clarity and spa temperature a minimum of 30 minutes prior to opening, the same parameters must be further checked with the automatic sensing device at least every four hours until the daily use period has ended. Current requirement: at least once more during the daily use period, if the public spa is equipped with an automatic sensing device (Sec. 20(2)(b)). Spas without automatic sensing deviceSec 7(12):After the initial manual testing of total alkalinity, pH, FAC, TC or bromine residuals, water clarity and spa temperature a minimum of 30 minutes prior to opening, the same parameters must be further manually checked and recorded at least every two hours until the daily use period has ended. Current requirement: at time intervals not exceeding one hour until the daily use period has ended (Sec. 20(2)(a)). Spa volume >4000 litresSection 7(14):Every operator of a public spa with a volume that exceeds 4000 L shall add make up water to the spa during each operating day in an amount that is a minimum of 15 L/bather use to a maximum of 20% of the total spa volume. Current requirement: Reg. 428/05, Sec 7(1) - 30+ L/bather use to a maximum of 20% (Sec. 7(1)). First aid kit
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Summary of changes applicable to splash pads, spray pads, wading pools and receiving basins |
Class C Facilities
Public Pool Regulation 565 - Class C facilitiesRegulation 565, Class C Facilities replaces: "Operating Procedures for Non-Regulated Recreational Water Facilities Guidance Document." (April 2010) Prior to openingSection 26.1(1):The owner or owner’s agent shall notify the Medical Officer of Health or public health inspector in writing at least 14 days prior to commencing operation after construction, alteration or a closure of more than four weeks. General requirementsPublic wading poolsSection 26.1(1):
Public spray pad or splash padSection 26.3:
All Class C facilitiesSection 26.5:Record results of inspections of safety-related equipment present in the facility at a frequency determined by a PHI. |
How to stay safe
Public health inspectors visit public pools many times a year to check that they are safe for you and your family to use.
Public pool safety |
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Things that you can do to make sure you are safe
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Public spa safety |
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Splash pads and wading pool safety |
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