Public Swimming and Spa Pools
Public swimming and spa pools are well recognised sources of infection. Pathogenic or disease causing organisms may be introduced into the water from bathers skin, saliva, urine, faeces, dust, bird droppings, make-up water and soil carried on feet.
Disease causing organisms can be killed off quickly and effectively in pool water when it is designed and maintained to enhance the action of disinfection. The NSW Department of Health’s Swimming Pool and Spa Pool Guidelines specify minimum chemical criteria for public pools which can be used as a guide to reduce the likelihood of infection through swimming pools.
If swimming pools and spa pools are not adequately disinfected and cleaned they can allow medical conditions to be transmitted such as:
- Bacteria associated with eye, ear and skin infections; carbuncles and wound infections;
- Fungi that lead to athletes foot and tinea; urino-genital, skin and nail infections;
- Viruses which can cause gastroenteritis and pharyngo-conjunctival fever; and
- Protozoa which cause Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis.
Pool owners should double check that their pools are maintained and cleaned throughout summer. If a pool's chlorine, pH levels or other disinfection system are not maintained, the chemicals cannot do their job effectively. It’s, therefore, crucial for pool owners to regularly adjust chemicals when needed. Pool filters should also be carefully maintained to ensure they are working properly.
Some other tips to ensure that swimming pools water is safe are:
- Don’t swim if you’ve had diarrhoea in the past two weeks;
- Do shower and wash thoroughly with soap before entering the pool; and
- Don’t swallow pool water.
Another risk to the community is pool fencing.
Resources
NSW Health Environmental Health Branch for Swimming Pools and Spa Pools has detailed information including legislation, guidelines, an audit tool, factsheets and response protocols.
The Swimming Pools Act 1992 applies to swimming pools (both outdoor and indoor) that are situated, or proposed to be constructed or installed, on premises on which a residential building, a moveable dwelling, a hotel or a motel is located, but does not apply to swimming pools that are situated, or proposed to be constructed or installed, on any premises occupied by the Crown or by a public authority.
The Swimming Pools Regulation 2008 was reviewed in 2008 and now includes new requirements for non-climbable zones, mesh sizes for fences, retaining walls that form part of a barrier and balconies that project into the pool area.
These new requirements apply to new pools only and do not significantly increase costs. Existing pools, as defined by the Act, will not be required to comply unless there is a substantial alteration made to the child resistant barrier.
The Public Health (Swimming Pools and Spa Pools) Regulation 2000 contains the legislation which controls the public health risk associated with public swimming and spa pools.
The Australian Standards AS 1926 – Swimming Pool Safety sets out requirements for swimming pool fencing for private swimming pools. This document can be viewed with one of Council’s Environmental Health Officer or purchased through Standards Australia.
Safewaters NSW have placed on their website home pool safety checklists that should be applied to swimming pools depending on the location and size of the property. The Department of Local Government offers similar information.