Operating a Public Swimming Pool in the State of California

The pamphlet titled The Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Public Swimming Pools, 1998, contains excerpts from The California Health and Safety Code, The California Code of Regulations (formerly The California Administrative Code), and The Uniform Building code. It is expected by this office that any person who operates a public swimming pool in the County of Marin will do so in accordance with these codes as a matter of good business practice, protection of the public health and legal obligation.

Inspections and Inspection Reports:

Public swimming pools in Marin County are inspected by Environmental Health Services. Inspection reports are issued to the owner or manager by mail or in person if they are present for the inspection. The inspection report will indicate violations of law, with corrective actions. Often the inspection report will indicate a reinspection date. The inspector will, on or after this date, inspect the pool to see that the violations listed in the initial inspection report have been corrected. If the violations have not been completely corrected and it is necessary to set another reinspection date, this will be indicated on the first reinspection report. In addition, the pool owner will be sent a bill for $100, as authorized by the Board of Supervisors, to help defray the cost of the additional inspections necessitated by noncompliance. Further noncompliance may result in procedures to suspend or revoke the permit to operate a public swimming pool and pool closure.

Remodeling, Equipment Changes , and New Construction:

You are required to contact Environmental Health Services prior to any new construction, remodeling (such as replastering), or equipment changes. In many cases a permit will be required; in all cases Environmental Health Services must give approval, except in the case where a piece of equipment is being replaced with an exact duplicate.

The Following Are State Law Requirements:

• All gates opening into pool area must be self-closing and self-latching.
• Circulation and sanitation equipment must be operating during all times pool is open for use.
• The minimum level for free Chlorine in a pool open for use is 1.0 ppm or 1.5 ppm if a chlorine stabilizer is used. The PH must be maintained between 7.2-8.0. The maximum level for cyanuric acid stabilizer is 100 ppm. Chemical levels outside of these legal requirements may result in immediate pool closure.
• Chlorine tablets placed in the skimmer or in a floating dispensing device are not allowed.
• The pool operator must maintain daily records of information regarding pool operation, including disinfectant residual, pH, and maintenance procedures such as cleaning of fitters and quantity of chemicals used.
• Automatic pool cleaning equipment (such as pool sweeps) must be kept out of the pool during times the pool is open for use.
• The pool main drain cover must be secured in place so that it can be removed only with tools.
• All skimmers must have a weir, and a removable strainer basket.

A complete description of public swimming pool regulations may be found in the pamphlet noted previously, namely The Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Public Swimming Pools, 1998. This pamphlet may be purchased at Marin County Environmental Health Services.