Recreational Water

Public Pool Regulation 565

Ontario Public Health Standards:

• Published by the Ministry of Health
• Standards published under the authority of the Health Protection & Promotion Act (HPPA)
• Standards identify the minimum expectations for public health programs and services
• Health Departments are accountable for implementing the Standards including Protocols and Guidelines
• Under the Standards, Effective Public Health Practice, Requirement 9:

"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."

• Summary report must be posted on the Board of Health’s website within two weeks
• Reports must be posted for two years

Prior to opening

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 results

Pool operator shall ensure the results of any inspections conducted by a PHI are posted as per the inspector’s request.

Operator training

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:

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

• Total alkalinity (80-120 ppm)
• FAC (0.5-10 ppm)
• Bromine (2-4 ppm)
• Wave action pool - Bromine (3-10 ppm)
• Pool equipped with automatic sensing device - ORP (600-900 mV)

Stabilized pools

• FAC (1 -10 ppm)
• Cyanuric acid not greater than 60 mg/l

No cyanuric acid stabilization shall be used

30 minutes prior to opening

Total 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 device

Initial 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.

Make-up water

Minimum of 15 L/bather

Current requirement: 20+ L/bather

Records

• Kept available for viewing by MOH/PHI at any time.
• Record type and amount of chemicals added manually to the pool (e.g. stabilizer, chlorine used for shock treatment).
• Daily records to be kept for the "estimated" number of bather uses

Current requirement: total number of bathers admitted to the pool each day.

Lifeguard qualifications

Certificate issued by Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross or equivalent training from another organization.

Current requirement: National Lifeguard Service’s Lifeguard Certificate.

Assistant lifeguard qualifications

Certificate 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 standard

Class 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

• No longer prescriptive for numbers of each item in the kit.
• Additional inclusions to the kit include a pair of scissors, non-permeable gloves and resuscitation pocket masks.

Prior to opening

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 results

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 parameter

Total alkalinity range of 80-120 ppm

Current requirement: not less than 80 mg/l.

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.

Stabilizer

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 device

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 device

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 litres

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

• No longer prescriptive for numbers of each item in the kit.
• Additional inclusions to the kit include a pair of scissors, non-permeable gloves and resuscitation pocket masks.

Class C Facilities

• Public wading pools
• Public spray pad or splash pad
• Water slide receiving basins

Public Pool Regulation 565 - Class C facilities

Regulation 565, Class C Facilities replaces: "Operating Procedures for Non-Regulated Recreational Water Facilities Guidance Document." (April 2010)

Prior to opening

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 requirements

Public wading pools

• Designated operator
• Maintain equipment in safe and sanitary condition and in proper working order
• Clean make-up water
• Prevent back siphonage
• Water free of visible matter

Public pool safety

Public pools are used by many people at the same time. This can increase the chances of getting an infection or an injury. 

Things that you can do to make sure you are safe

• You should be able to see through the water.
• Can you see the black disk or main drain at the bottom of the pool? If you cannot see the black disk or main drain clearly, do not use the pool and tell the operator.
• Find out where the safety equipment and the emergency telephone are located.
• Shower before getting in the pool.
• If your children are not toilet trained, they should be wearing diapers. Tell older children to use the washroom before getting in the pool.
• Encourage safe swimming.
• Use a lifejacket for children under six years old. Children who cannot swim should also wear a lifejacket whenever they are in or around a pool. Remember, to stay close to your children even if they are wearing a lifejacket. Keep your children within arm's length at all times.
• Never leave children by themselves. Drowning can happen silently and within seconds.
• Send children to swimming lessons and teach them to swim with a friend.
• Be a good role model and follow safety rules posted at the pool. This includes no food or drinks, no glass containers, and no rough or loud play.
• Do not play or swim near drains. The drains may trap your body, body parts, hair, jewelry or other objects. This can result in serious injury or death. People with long hair should be careful of these hazards.
• Ask a lifeguard if you have any questions or concerns. Report any safety hazards such as glass, items with sharp edges, etc.
• Listen to the lifeguard.

Public spa safety

• How clear is the water? You should be able to see the main drain clearly. If you cannot see the main drain, do not use the spa and notify the operator
• Find out where the safety equipment and emergency telephone are located.
• Shower before getting in the spa.
• If you notice anything wrong with the spa like broken glass or a loose drain cover do not use the spa and notify the operator.
• Be a good role model and follow safety rules.
• Do not play or swim near drains. The drains may trap your body, body parts, hair, jewelry or other objects. This can result in serious injury or death. People with long hair should be careful of these hazards.
• Do not allow your children to use the spa unless you are with them.

Splash pads and wading pool safety