Public Swimming Pool and Spa Program

Program Overview

IDOH’s Environmental Health Program staff train local health department personnel on how to maintain a safe and healthy pool or spa environment and provide technical assistance. Staff also assist local health departments each spring with a one-day swimming pool training session for pool owners and operators, if the county chooses to put one on.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Division of Fire and Building Safety reviews and approves plans for the construction of public swimming pools.

Announcements / Current News

Healthy Swimming at the Beach and Lake

• Learn what you can do to keep healthy and safe while swimming outdoors in lakes, rivers, and at the beach.

Lifeguard/Attendant Recommendations for Water Attraction/Water Attraction Complexes (Water Parks) Issued

• New recommended guidelines for lifeguards/attendants at water parks are in addition to the lifeguard requirements found in 410 IAC 6-2.1.

There are new ADA requirements for accessibility at pools

• Read our handout for information and useful links.
  Revised ADA Regulations: Implementing Title II and Title III

Drowning Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 11 people a day die from unintentional drowning. Software engineer Francisco Saldaña created the simple educational game spotthedrowningchild.com to help people recognize the deadly situation. A person who is drowning is physiologically incapable of calling out or waving for help – meaning often there is little noise or splash. Things to look for instead:

• The individual’s mouth bobs above and below the surface while the body remains upright without evidence of kicking.
• The individual’s arms spread to the side and push down against the water to try and push their mouths out of the water.

The videos that Mr. Saldaña used show lifeguards successfully rescuing children from drowning.

CDC Drowning Prevention

Guidelines for Interactive Water Fountains

Guidelines have been issued for interactive water fountains, also known as "spray grounds," "wet decks," "splash pads," "spray pads," or "spray parks".  PDF

Directories

Indiana certified water laboratories
Pre-approved automatic Hot Water Temperature Control Valves
Water microbiology laboratories (Indiana-certified)

Forms

Daily Log of Public Swimming Pool Operating Conditions
Injury/Incident Report Form
Permit Application for Construction or Alteration of a Public Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool Contamination Incident Record

Laws and Regulations

410 IAC 6-2.1 Public and Semi-Public Pools - or - PDF
675 IAC 20 Swimming Pool Construction Code

Program Information and Policies

Adjusting Chemical Levels in a Swimming Pool

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations for Swimming Pools Handout
New regulations regarding ADA became effective on March 15, 2011. This document will provide a brief summary of the new regulations that pertain to swimming pools (public and semi-public, water parks, wading, spas, and all other pools). It is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a complete description of this federal law.

Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards for Chlorine Gas

• The intent of the CFATS program is to identify and regulate high-risk chemical facilities to ensure they have security measures in place to reduce the risks associated with these chemicals and to protect chemical facilities from the threat of terrorist attack or exploitation.
• One of the COIs that requires physical protection is chlorine, specifically, storage of chlorine typically in compressed gas containers with a threshold of 1% concentration and 2,500 lbs for permanent tanks (immobile) and/or 9.77% concentration and more than 500 lbs (in transportation packaging, aka, portable containers).
• Few pools still use this form of chlorine, those that do possess chlorine in this form, concentration, and quantity are required to register their holdings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools and Spas

Guidelines for dog swims at public swimming pools
Dog swims, also referred to as “drool in the pool” or “dog days,” are special events where domestic dogs (pets) are allowed to swim and participate in activities at public swimming pools after the pool season is over.

Guidelines for lifeguards/attendants at water parks
Lifeguard/Attendant Recommendations for Water Attraction/Water Attraction Complexes (Water Parks)

Hand Washing
Information on why hand washing is important; how diseases are spread; when hands should be washed; the proper way to wash hands; and how hand washing can protect you and your family.

How to Calculate Maximum Bather Load

Interactive water fountains guidelines

IDOH fact sheet on Indoor Swimming Pool Irritants. See CDC Resources for more information.

Lightning and Aquatics Safety
An abstract from the National Lightning Safety Institute. This paper describes lightning pathways to interior structures and provides references to recent national codes and standards. It recommends guidelines for decision-making in order to maximize lightning safety for indoor pools.

Policy on Emergency Numbers at Public Pools
This document specifies when "911" needs to be posted as an emergency number.

Responsible Adult Guidelines
Guidelines regarding the definition of a “Responsible Adult” as it pertains to the signage requirement for semi-public pools that have less than 2,000 square feet of water surface area and that do not provide lifeguards.

Salt Chlorine Generators for Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools

Shocking a Swimming Pool or Spa using Breakpoint Chlorination

CDC Resources

Animals and Pools
Animals can be great companions, but if allowed in or near your pool, they can sometimes contaminate the water and spread germs that cause disease. It is important to always keep your pool clean and take precautions when animals have been in or near the pool. To learn more about keeping your pool safe from animal contaminants (such as feces), follow the link below.

• Raccoons and Pools
• Finding a Dead Animal in the Pool
• Birds and Pools

CDC Swimming Pool and Spa Operation/Design
These are Healthy Swimming recommendations for appropriate pool and hot tub/spa design and operation.

Recommendations for Preventing Pool Chemical-Associated Injuries
These recommendations are based on a review of reports of pool chemical–associated injuries and the cover design of pool chemical storage area and pump room, chemical storage and handling, maintenance and repair, pool chemical training for aquatic–facility staff, emergency response plan, chemical packaging and labeling (for manufacturers and suppliers).

Crypto Alert for Aquatics Staff
Increasing Reports of Crypto Cases and Outbreaks. Crypto cases are on the rise!

Cryptosporidium, (or "Crypto") is a chlorine-resistant parasite that causes a diarrheal disease called Cryptosporidiosis. Even well-maintained pools, water parks, and interactive fountains can spread Crypto among swimmers.  CDC Facts About Crypto and Swimming Pools

Crypto Alert for Health Professionals
Increasing Reports of Crypto Cases and Outbreaks. Crypto cases are on the rise!

Disinfection of Hot Tubs Contaminated with Legionella
Hot tubs that are not properly operated and maintained can provide an ideal environment for spreading Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. This CDC document explains how to disinfect contaminated hot tubs, whirlpool spas and hydrotherapy spas.

Healthy Swimming Protection
Healthy Swimming behaviors are needed to protect you and your kids from RWIs (recreational water illnesses) and will help stop germs from getting in the pool in the first place.

Hydrotherapy Tank and Pool Operation
Recommendations for Environmental Infection Control in Health Care Facilities-Hydrotherapy Tanks and Pools - from the CDC.

Hyperchlorination to kill Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium (or "Crypto") is a chlorine-resistant parasite that causes a diarrheal disease called Cryptosporidiosis. Even well-maintained pools, water parks, and interactive fountains can spread Crypto among swimmers. The Centers for Disease Control has updated recommendations for treating water venues to eliminate Crypto. CDC Fact Sheet on Crypto.

Irritants (Chloramines) and Indoor Pool Air Quality
Pool operators may be getting complaints from swimmers and pool staff about stinging eyes, nasal irritation, or difficulty breathing after being in the water or breathing the air at swimming pools, particularly indoor pools. New research indicates that these symptoms may be an indication of poor water and indoor air quality at the pool caused by a build-up of irritants, known as chloramines, in the water and air. This website from the Centers for Disease Control provides information on this topic.

Recreational Water Illnesses
This website provides information on recreational water illnesses and what the public, health professionals and pool facilities can do to prevent their transmission. Also available on their web page:

• Recreational Water Illnesses: What are they?
• Recreational Water Illnesses: How are RWIS spread?
• Recreational Water Illnesses: Why doesn't chlorine kill these RWI germs?
• Recreational Water Illnesses: Where are RWIs found?
• Recreational Water Illnesses: Who is most likely to get ill from an RWI?
• Recreational Water Illnesses: How can we prevent RWIs?

Responding to Fecal Accidents
These are the Healthy Swimming recommendations for responding to fecal accidents and body fluids in pools.

• Your Disinfection Team
  Chlorine and pH are the first defense against germs that can make swimmers sick.
• CDC Response Recommendations for Pool Staff
  What do you do when you find poop in the pool?
• Vomit and Blood Contamination of Pool Water
  Vomiting while swimming appears to be a common event - CDC Recommendations for responding to blood and vomit in a pool.
• Cleaning Up Body Fluid Spills on Pool Surface
  Blood, feces, and vomit are all considered potentially contaminated with bloodborne germs. Therefore, spills of these fluids on the pool deck should be cleaned up and the contaminated surfaces disinfected immediately.

Twelve Steps to Prevent Recreational Water Illnesses

Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts
Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

CPSC - Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Update:  Reminder Letter -  May 11,2021

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act promotes the safe use of pools, spas and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment avoidance and by establishing a voluntary grant program for states with laws that meet certain minimum requirements as outlined in the Act. Effective December 20, 2008, the Act is being administered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (CPSC)

The Act requires:

• Each public pool and spa, both new and existing, be equipped with drain covers conforming to the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 - 2007 Standard.
• Each public pool and spa in the United States with a single main drain other than an unblockable drain be equipped, at a minimum, with 1 or more of the following devices or systems designed to prevent entrapment by pool or spa drains:
  1. A safety vacuum release system that ceases operation of the pump reverses the circulation flow or otherwise provides a vacuum release at a suction outlet when a blockage is detected, that has been tested by an independent third-party and found to conform to ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387.
  2. A suction-limiting vent system with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening.
  3. A gravity drainage system that utilizes a collector tank.
  4. An automatic pump shut-off system.
  5. A device or system that disables the drain.
  6. Any other system approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387.
• Safety Drain Covers. Each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to the American National Standard ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 - 2007 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Compliance with this Standard will be enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as a consumer product safety rule.

CPSC VGB Web Page - A new page on CPSC's Web site that consolidates information about the Act, including: new frequently asked questions (FAQs), an updated list of certified manufacturers of drain covers and SVRSs, and other important information for stakeholders.

CPSC Pool and Spa Safety Act FAQ
These FAQs are unofficial descriptions and interpretations of various features of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and do not replace or supersede the statutory requirements of the new legislation.

CPSC Staff’s Guide To Complying With the Pool & Spa Safety Act

CPSC Staff Interpretation
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff has prepared this guidance document that spells out the technical requirements of Section 1404 of the Act, along with CPSC staff’s answers to certain enforcement and legal issues.

How to Plan For the Unexpected - Preventing Child Drownings
Discusses how to reduce risks of child drownings in residential swimming pools. Gives safety tips and provides guidance for fences and gates, pool covers, barriers, alarms, etc.

Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools
Explains guidelines for barriers intended to prevent drownings and near-drownings of children in home pools, spas and hot tubs. Guidelines cover fences, gates, audible alarms for doors with access to pools, and power safety covers.