Pool Standards, 2006

for the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool

and Water Spray Park Regulation
 Pool Standards, 2006
for the
Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water Spray Park Regulation

Page

I. Definitions and Interpretation 2

II. Purpose and Scope 4

III. Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Pools 5

1) Pool Operator Qualifications 5

2) Filtration and Recirculation 6
3) Disinfection 7
4) Monitoring and Recordkeeping 8
5) Microbiological Sampling 8
6) Water Quality 9
7) Anti-Entrapment 9

IV. Written Policies 11

1) Safety and Supervision Requirements 11

2) Notices for Public Safety 11
3) Public Education 12
4) Water Quality Issues 13
5) General Sanitation Plan 13

V. Pool Premises 14

Schedule A: Fecal Contamination Management for Pools 15

Reference Materials

A. Approval Process for Ultraviolet Treatment 20

B. Inactivation of Viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium 22
C. Equivalent CT Values for Chlorination at 25°C 24

Bibliography 25

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Pool Standards, 2006
 I. Definitions and Interpretation
________________________________________________________________

The following terms are defined in the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water
Spray Park Regulation and are repeated here for ease of reference.

(a) “bed and breakfast” means a private dwelling occupied by the owner
or operator that offers overnight lodging and breakfast, but no other
meal, for a fee, to no more than 8 registered guests at one time;

(b) “mV” means millivolt;

(c) “ORP” means Oxidation Reduction Potential;

(d) “pool” means a swimming pool, wading pool, water spray park and
whirlpool;

(e) “Pool Standards” means the standards declared in force under

section 2;

(f) “responsible person” means a person designated under section 3 as

a responsible person;

(g) “swimming pool” means a structure containing a pool of water

(i) that is greater than 60 centimetres at its greatest depth, and

(ii) that is used for recreation, healing, therapy or other similar

purpose

and means all buildings and equipment used in connection with the
structure but does not include

(iii) a swimming pool that is constructed for the use of a single

family dwelling unit and used only by the owners and their
guests, unless the structure is operated as a business, or

(iv) a swimming pool that is drained, cleaned and filled after each
use by each individual;

(h) “wading pool” means a structure containing a pool of water that is 60

centimetres or less in depth throughout and is used for recreation or
other similar purpose but does not include a wading pool that is
constructed for the use of a single family dwelling unit and used only
by the owners and their guests;

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Pool Standards, 2006
 (i) “water spray park” means a structure onto which water is sprayed or
released but does not accumulate and is used for recreation or other
similar purpose and all buildings and equipment used in connection
with it;

(j) “whirlpool” means a structure containing a pool of water that people

enter that is designed primarily for therapeutic or recreational use
and that

(i) is not drained, cleaned or filled before use by each individual,

and

(ii) utilizes hydrojet circulation, air induction bubbles or hot water or

any combination of them.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 II. Purpose and Scope
________________________________________________________________

The Pool Standards (Standards) are established under the authority of the Public
Health Act (“Act”) and the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water Spray Park
Regulation (“Regulation”).

The primary objective of the Regulation and the Standards is to set out permit,
operating and maintenance requirements for swimming pools, wading pools,
water spray parks, whirlpools and any fountain or artificial pond that falls within
the definition of a structure that constitutes a “pool”, in accordance with the above
definitions. The Regulation and Standards do not apply to flotation tanks or
therapeutic pools which are used by one individual at a time and drained,
cleaned and filled between each use, or to pools constructed for the use of a
single family dwelling.

The requirements in the Regulation and Standards are based on current

information and will evolve as technology changes. Important information
regarding disinfection, chlorine resistant pathogens, filtration and recirculation is
included. The goal is to enhance filtration, circulation and monitoring while
maintaining a minimum but effective concentration of disinfectant to provide a
safe swimming environment.

The Regulation and Standards set minimum standards for safe water quality and
a safe and sanitary pool environment. These are minimum standards.
Depending on the type of pool and use that a pool is put to; higher standards
may be required. It is the responsibility of each pool owner to ensure optimum
water quality and pool safety. Reference should also be made to the Alberta
Building Code (ABC) for the specific requirements for pool construction.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 III. Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Pools
________________________________________________________________

1) Pool Operator Qualifications

1. A person who operates or maintains a pool must be trained in pool

operation, water chemistry, pool filtration and maintenance.

2. Alberta Health and Wellness may:

a. identify qualifications, including upgrading requirements, that are

required of a person who operates or maintains a pool (pool
operator qualifications);
b. develop core elements and objectives for pool operation courses
that will provide training for people who want to acquire pool
operator qualifications;
c. review any existing pool operation courses that are submitted to the
department to determine if the course provides for appropriate and
cost effective training.

3. Stakeholders who may be consulted about pool operator qualifications

and pool operation courses, include representatives of:

a. Regional Health Authorities,

b. Alberta Association of Recreation Facility Personnel,
c. Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association,
d. Alberta Pool and Hot Tub Association,
e. Alberta Lifesaving Society, and
f. other stakeholders as deemed necessary.

Practice Note:
Operating a pool facility has become progressively more complex with the
increased use of water recreational facilities, the introduction of waterslides,
water rides, wave pools, water spray play areas; the increased complexity of the
pool equipment and treatment systems; and the emergence of chlorine resistant
pathogens. Setting requirements for pool operator qualifications will ensure that
all pools in the province are under the care and control of a person with a
minimum level of training.

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Pool Standards, 2006
2) Filtration and Recirculation

1. A turnover period (referred to as recirculation) as required in Section 9 of

the Regulation, must be no more than

a. 6 hours in all existing swimming pools. The turnover rate may be

increased to 8 hours if an existing swimming pool is able to
maintain water quality in the 8 hour turnover period, in accordance
with microbiological standards in section 16 of the Regulation;
b. 2 hours for a stand alone recirculating wading pool or water spray
park;
c. If a wading pool or water spray park is connected to a swimming
pool, the applicable turnover rate for the swimming pool applies to
the wading pool or water spray park;
d. 15 min for a whirlpool less than 4 cubic metres;
e. 20 min for a whirlpool of 4 or more cubic meters;
f. 4 hours for any new swimming pool constructed after the
enactment of the Regulation or any swimming pool undergoing
major renovations which affect the hydraulics of the system; and
g. 1.5 hours for a water slide receiving pool used solely for that
purpose.

2. All recirculating pools must have a filter flow rate no greater than that
specified by the manufacturer.

Practice Note:
The turnover rate for a new pool has been increased to 4 hours while existing
pools can continue to operate at 8 hours provided that the required
microbiological standards are being consistently met and maintained .

In pools with water quality issues, the dye test can provide an indication of the
movement of water in the pool and any areas which are not well circulated. The
test can also be a useful tool to check circulation patterns in a new facility or
where renovations are being considered.

3. The accepted standard for effective recirculation is that eighty percent of

the water must be circulated from the pool surface. The executive officer
may allow pools to operate with a lower percentage of recirculation from
the surface provided that the required microbiological standards are being
consistently met and maintained.

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Pool Standards, 2006
Practice Note:
The highest concentration of organic pollution and contamination in a pool is
found at or near the surface of the water irrespective of the mixing effects of the
circulation. Therefore, recirculation of 50-80% of the water from the surface will
produce a much healthier pool. (Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group 1999)

Each responsible person will need to evaluate the flow of the water and
determine how to meet this requirement. The Alberta Building Code currently
requires the circulation piping to accommodate 100% of the flow either through
the skimmers or the drain, therefore, it may be possible to increase the flow from
the skimmers or overflow channels without major changes to the system.

4. All filters must be backwashed and cleaned according to manufacturer

instructions.
5. The rate of filtration must be no more than 15 gallons per minute per
square foot (gpm/sq ft) for swimming pools and 12.5 gpm/ sq ft for
whirlpools and the rate of backwash must not exceed the rate of filtration.
6. Pools using cartridge filters must have a second set of filters available to
allow for adequate cleaning.

Practice Note:
The goal of these requirements is to produce satisfactory microbiological quality
using the most effective filtration system in combination with minimum
concentrations of chlorine residuals. Effective filtration will remove most of the
organics and allow the chlorine to act on pathogens rather than the oxidation of
organic material.

3) Disinfection

1. There must be no cyanuric acid (CYA) or stabilized products used in an

indoor pool. The concentration of CYA in an outdoor pool must not
exceed 50 ppm. A higher concentration may be allowed only if the
executive officer approves the higher concentration.
2. The concentration of cyanuric acid in an outdoor pool must be tested
weekly.

Practice Note:
Cyanuric acid (CYA) is effective in reducing chlorine loss due to sunlight in
outdoor pools. However, CYA does not degrade and even at 5 ppm of CYA,
chlorine effectiveness can be reduced by 35%. There are diminishing returns
with increasing concentrations. (Professional Pool Owner and Operators of
America)

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Pool Standards, 2006
3. To assist in maintaining proper pH, the alkalinity must be maintained at
80-120 ppm and measured weekly. A higher concentration may be
allowed in instances where an executive officer has provided approval.

Practice Note:
There are water sources throughout the province which have higher levels of
alkalinity. In those cases, the responsible person must discuss the alkalinity level
with executive officer and determine what steps are required in order to maintain
the pH between 6.8 and 7.6.

The measure of total dissolved solids (TDS) is not included in this standard. TDS
is closely related to the operation of the pool but is less important as a measure
of pool water quality. Several authorities including the World Health Organization
indicate that high TDS does not negatively compromise pool water quality.

4) Monitoring and Recordkeeping

1. Operating records must be maintained in a written form to provide

information regarding:
a. quantities and dates of all chemicals used;
b. time and result of pH tests;
c. time and result of all free chlorine residual tests;
d. time and result of all combined chlorine residual tests;
e. results of microbiological analyses;
f. temperature of the water, recorded at least once every 24 hours;
and
g. any other tests.

5) Microbiological Sampling

1. The pool water samples referred to in Section 15 must be taken:

a. from a point near an outlet and from any other locations that are
necessary to give an accurate representation of the water in the
pool; and
b. between 200 to 400 mm below the surface of the water. (Pool
Water Treatment Advisory Group BSI Code of Practice 2003)

2. Samples of pool water must be submitted in sample bottles containing a

dechlorinating agent, supplied by the Provincial Laboratory for Public
Health (Microbiology).

3. The regional health authorities must forward the results of the samples to
the responsible person for self-monitoring purposes.

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Pool Standards, 2006
Practice Note:
The results of routine microbiological sampling must always be interpreted in
conjunction with:

¾ chemical tests performed on-site and/or in the laboratory at the time of

sample collection; and
¾ a review of the maintenance records for the pool, including records of the
pH, residual disinfectant levels, mechanical failures, water clarity and
other related events.

Ongoing microbiological testing provides valuable trend data regarding the

microbial quality of the pool water for both the health region and the operator.
Both total coliform and heterotrophic plate count are indicators of disinfection
efficacy and should be used to develop a baseline trend for each pool. All results,
including Pseudomonas results, need to be interpreted in conjunction with pool
chemistry records and the history of results.

6) Water Quality

1. The responsible person shall ensure that the maximum design bather load
is not exceeded during the operation of the pool. Where the maximum
bathing load has not been established, the following shall be met:

a. 1 person per square meter in a whirlpool; and

b. 1 person per 1.5 square meters in other swimming pools.

2. The responsible person may apply to the executive officer for an increase
in bather load beyond the maximum design bather load specified in the
design plans. The executive officer shall review the bather load as well as
the overall swimming pool operation and if satisfied that pool water quality
will be maintained, may allow the increase in bather load.

3. Where clarity problems persist, the executive officer may require

monitoring of the turbidity using a meter until the turbidity is no greater
than 0.5 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).

Practice Note:
Chemical parameters, turnover periods, turbidity, bacteriological results as
opposed to bather ratios are the best indicators of water quality, particularly since
each pool has varying capabilities to maintain pool water quality. Bather load is
an historical guide that may help manage water clarity issues in some
circumstances.

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Pool Standards, 2006
7) Anti-Entrapment

1. As required in Section 19 of the Regulation, pools with submerged suction

outlets must be equipped with one of the following anti-entrapment
devices:
a. A minimum of two outlets per pump with pipe centres at least 920 cm
(3 feet) apart with covers listed, approved and installed in accordance
with American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/A112.19.8 performance
requirements;
b. Anti-entrapment covers, on all suction outlets other than the
skimmer(s), listed, approved and installed in accordance with ASME
A112.19.8M performance requirements and flow through the drain
grate which does not exceed 1.5 feet per second;
c. A Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) that relieves suction when
a blockage is detected and that is installed to meet the performance
standards of the ASTM International F2387 and/or ASME/ANSI
A112.19.17s;
d. Drains which are at least 46 x 59 cm (18 by 23 inches) in size; (as
based on torso size of 99th percentile male, weighing 244 pounds), or
e. If approved by the executive officer, alternative anti-entrapment
devices or solutions may be implemented which:
i. comply with Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and
Spas Safer. United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
March 2005, or
ii. are approved by a professional engineer.

2. The responsible person must ensure that all anti-entrapment devices are
properly installed and in good working order.
3. The responsible persons must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction
of an executive officer that no entrapment or entanglement risk exists in
the operation of a pool.

Practice Note:
This section is based on a minimum requirement to provide one “layer of
protection” against entrapment or entanglement. The use of “one layer of
protection” anti-entrapment devices requires ongoing monitoring and
maintenance of that protection. The Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making
Pools and Spas Safer (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
March 2005) recommend an additional layer of protection in all swimming pools
including whirlpools plus the installation of multiple drains and an SRVS back-
up system in all wading pools. Every responsible person must determine
whether an additional layer of protection is required for their pool.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 IV. Written Policies
________________________________________________________________

This section outlines the written policies every responsible person must have and
implement under Section 20 of the Regulation. Policies must be appropriate for
the type and number of pools that the policies cover.

1) Safety and Supervision Requirements

1. The responsible person must develop and implement a safety and supervision
plan which sets out for each pool:

a. lifesaving equipment,
b. telephone access for emergencies,
c. a First Aid kit,
d. required bather to lifeguard ratios,
e. recommended bather safety for special events in any facility which
does not provide life guarding, and
f. proper storage of pool treatment chemicals in compliance with the
Alberta Fire Code.

Practice Note:
Information regarding lifesaving equipment and bather to lifeguard ratios can be
found in the Lifesaving Society “Public Aquatic Facility Safety Standards 2004”,
“Semi-public Swimming Pool Safety Standards 2004” and “Public Wading Pool
Safety Standards 2004”.

The Alberta Building Code and the Alberta Association of Recreational Facility
Personnel and the Lifesaving Society set out additional safety standards.

2) Notices for Public Safety

1. Each pool must have a sign(s) containing written information and, if possible,
visual information, in a size and location that may be easily seen by all users,
which directs or specifies:

a. Each bather must take a ‘cleansing’ shower prior to entering the

pool.
b. No glass is allowed on the pool deck or in other barefoot areas.
c. Persons on medication for high blood pressure, heart condition or
other medical conditions must to consult with a physician prior to
use of the whirlpool or sauna.
d. No bather may be intoxicated while using the facility.
e. The pool depth and those areas where diving is not allowed.
f. The temperature range of the whirlpool, steam room and sauna.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 g. Bather load and provides an explanation of why bather load is
limited.
h. No pets are allowed onto the premises, except for seeing eye dogs
or other animal used to assist persons with disabilities.
i. No street shoes may be worn in wet traffic areas.
j. Any other information that the responsible person determines is
necessary to maintain the health and safety of the pool facility
users.

2. In addition to Section 1, for those facilities where life guarding is not provided,
signs must be provided directing or specifying that:

a. “Do not swim alone”,

b. “Children up to 14 years must be supervised”, and
c. “No lifeguard is on duty”.

3) Public Education

1. The responsible person must develop and implement a plan that is appropriate
to the type of pool facility, for the education of bathers on the following:

a. Any person with diarrhea or a history of diarrhea over the previous

2 weeks must not use the pool facility,

b. Young children, 35 months and under, and anyone who is

incontinent must wear protective, water-resistant swimwear in order
to minimize the introduction of contamination,

c. Time in the whirlpool, sauna and steam room is to be limited to 10

minutes. Body temperature of children under 2 years rises very
quickly and should be closely monitored to avoid cardiovascular
effects. Pregnant women, persons with heart disease,
hypertension, seizures, diabetes and obesity or those greater than
65 years of age should consult with their physician.

Practice Note:
With the increased concern regarding cryptosporidium, there is a greater need
for young children and incontinent swimmers to wear water resistant swim wear.
There does not appear to be truly waterproof swimwear on the market therefore,
water resistant is the best choice available. Where possible, young children
should be encouraged to swim in the teach/wading pool where any
contamination can be isolated from the other pools (assuming there is an
independent circulation system).

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Pool Standards, 2006
4) Water Quality Issues

1. The responsible person must develop and implement a response plan which
outlines the steps to be taken when:

a. Standards for ORP, free chlorine, combined chlorine, cyanuric acid,

pH and turbidity are not being met,
b. Blood, food or chemicals foul the pool, and
c. Fecal material or vomitus foul the pool. This plan must adhere to
the requirements in Schedule A: “Fecal Contamination
Management for Swimming Pools”.

2. The response plan must outline the persons responsible, emergency contact
numbers, and the steps required to respond to each scenario.

5) General Sanitation Plan

1. The responsible person must develop and implement a plan which outlines a
routine schedule for cleaning and adequate disinfection of:

a. pool decks;
b. washrooms and change rooms;
c. showers;
d. steam rooms and saunas; and
e. any other equipment in contact with users of the facility.

2. The plan must ensure that soap is provided in washrooms and showers.

Practice Note:
The pool facility must have a plan for ongoing cleaning and disinfection of all
surfaces to minimize the transmission of pathogens. When considering flooring
in dressing rooms, several studies indicate that the transmission of "athletes foot"
is increased in those who swim regularly and that the floors in the facilities are a
source of the fungi (Kamihama 1997, Attye, 1990). The best method of
controlling transmission is the cleaning of floors, use of sandals and treatment of
the disease. It follows that the floors must be made of surfaces which are
impervious to moisture. The provision of soap and warm water at the showers
will encourage bathers to shower prior to swimming.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 V. Pool Premises

1. A shower must be equipped with a thermostatic mixing valve capable of

providing water to each shower head with a temperature of 35°C to 40°C
(refer to Section 7.33.29 of the Alberta Building Code)

2. Whirlpools must be fitted with temperature regulators.

3. A whirlpool must not operate at greater than 400 C (1040 F) while in use.

4. A steam room or sauna must be operated in accordance with

manufacturers requirements in order to prevent excessive rise in body
temperature when using these facilities.

5. The ventilation in all pool facilities must maintain safe air quality. Without
limitation, the ventilation in all pool facilities must protect against the
buildup of chlorine gas or other disinfection by-products.

6. A clock must be provided and clearly visible, adjacent to the whirlpool,

sauna or steam room to assist bathers in determining the length of stay.

7. Any food handling and consumption must occur in a clearly designated

area, set aside for that purpose.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 Schedule A
________________________________________________________________

Fecal Contamination Management for Pools

Every responsible person is required to have and implement a written policy

which outlines a response plan to managing fecal contamination in pools. This
schedule has been developed to assist responsible persons by outlining the
minimum requirements that their policy must contain.

I. Formed Stool

Solid fecal material is generally associated with healthy individuals and presents
a low risk of transmitting microorganisms. It is also easily captured and removed
from the pool. Should formed stool be found in a pool, the following steps must
be taken:

a. Direct all bathers to leave the contaminated pool and close the pool
to swimmers. To avoid cross-contamination, ask bathers to take a
shower prior to re-entering any pool.
b. Shut off the recirculating pump and chemical feeders to slow down
the dispersion of material through the water.
c. For those facilities with diatomaceous earth, continue to recirculate
water to ensure exposure to the 2.0 ppm of chlorine.
d. Carefully remove as much of the fecal matter as possible using a
net or scoop and dispose in a sanitary sewer. Vacuum the
remaining particles and dispose vacuum contents to waste - not
through the filter system. Thoroughly clean and disinfect any
equipment used in this process. (100 parts per million chlorine
solution)
e. If deck surfaces are contaminated, thoroughly clean and disinfect
with a chlorine solution of 100 ppm.
f. Once cleaning is complete, turn on the recirculating pump.
g. Raise the free chlorine to 2.0 ppm throughout the pool and maintain
for 30 minutes. Disinfectant concentrations must be measured at a
minimum of three different locations in the pool. The pH must be
maintained between 6.8 and 7.6 at all times.
h. Reopen the pool after the disinfection process and continue to
maintain the free chlorine at operational levels.

Refer to ”Inactivation of Viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium” in the reference

section (p. 23).

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Pool Standards, 2006
II. Vomitus

There are few pathogens associated with vomitus. An exception is the Norovirus
(previously known as Norwalk virus). However, Norovirus is more commonly
spread through person to person contact rather than through pool water. To
date, there is very little information on the inactivation of Norovirus in a pool
setting. It is generally accepted that Norovirus is more resistant to chlorine
disinfection than other viruses such as Hepatitis A.

The important steps in responding to vomitus in the pool are the physical removal
of the organic material, followed by disinfection adequate to inactivate viruses.

Should vomitus be found in the pool, follow steps 1 - 7 for formed stool as listed
above.

III. Liquid Stool (Diarrhea)

Liquid stool or diarrhea is associated with intestinal illness and often carries
disease-causing micro-organisms. With the release of diarrhea into the pool, it
must be assumed that there is a release of pathogens as well. Many
gastrointestinal pathogens are sensitive to chlorine and are easily destroyed by
normal operating concentrations of chlorine in the pool. However, the parasite
Cryptosporidium, which is now known to be transmitted in pool water, is highly
resistant to chlorine and may not be completely removed using standard rapid
sand filtration or diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration. (refer to “Inactivation of
Viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium” in the reference section (p. 23)). Since it
is rarely known what microbe(s) is released by a swimmer, each incident of liquid
fecal release must be treated as a potential release of Cryptosporidium and any
treatment measures must be capable of inactivating the parasite.

If liquid stool (diarrhea) is found in the pool, the following steps must be taken:

A. Cleaning

a. Direct all bathers to leave the contaminated pool. Any pools connected
through the circulation and filtration systems should be treated as if
contaminated. Swimmers are required to take a shower prior to re-
entering any other pools in the facility.
b. Shut off the recirculation pump and feeders to reduce the spread of
contaminants in the water.
c. Carefully remove as much of the fecal matter as possible and dispose
in sanitary sewer. Vacuum the remaining particles and the immediate
areas. Any waste should be discharged into the sanitary sewer. The
vacuum should be placed in the pool once the chlorination begins and
flushed with the pool water for the duration of the treatment.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 d. Thoroughly clean and disinfect deck surfaces as needed with a
solution of 100 ppm chlorine.
e. Turn the recirculation pump and chemical feeders back on after
cleaning is complete. Ensure that the filtration is operating at maximum
efficiency during the disinfection process.

B. Disinfection

The current United States Center for Disease Control recommendation for
responding to liquid stool is a Ct* of 9600 where C is the disinfectant
concentration (in mg/l) and t is the time (in min.) This Ct will inactivate 99.9% (3
log removal) of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the pool. (MMWR May 25, 2001) This
recommendation is based on the use of chlorine as the disinfectant and a long
exposure period. Pathogens have varying sensitivity to chlorine and the Ct
provides a quantitative number to indicate that sensitivity.

Some jurisdictions have suggested that a lower Ct value may be adequate but
must be accompanied with other processes to minimize the infectious dose. In
Britain, flocculation and coagulation, accompanied by filtration and six pool
turnovers is required to achieve a 5 log removal. (Croll, 2002).

Log removal refers to an order of magnitude/inactivation of microbial organisms.

1 log removal = 90% removal, 2 log removal =99% removal, 3 log removal =
99.9% removal.

Given this current information and the limited scientific data available regarding
the inactivation of oocysts in pool water, executive officers require a minimum
3 log removal to be reached when a liquid fecal incident occurs.

The most common disinfectant treatment method is chlorination, however, other

methods could potentially be utilized, if prior approval has been received from the
executive officer.

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Pool Standards, 2006
a) Disinfection with Chlorine

Where chlorination is used to treat the pool, the following steps must be followed:

a. Raise the free available chlorine residual to 20 ppm and maintain a

pH of no more than 7.5 throughout the pool for 8 hours to provide a
C(mg/l) x t(minutes) = 9600 at 25°C or greater. (also see:
Equivalent Ct values for Chlorination at 25ºC)
b. Stabilized chlorine should not be used to raise chlorine
concentration since it also introduces high levels of cyanuric acid
into the pool. Concentrations of cyanuric acid greater than 50 ppm
can interfere with the effectiveness of the chlorine.
c. Ensure that the chlorine concentration is found throughout all co-
circulating pools by testing at a minimum of three widely spaced
locations in each pool.
Note: Testing
A conventional chlorine test kit (DPD) can not be used to directly
measure such high concentrations of chlorine but can be used if the
pool water is diluted with non-chlorinated water and the results
calculated. Testing can also be achieved by using the chlorine test
strips commonly used in the food industry or a chlorine test kit with
a broader testing range.
d. Run the circulation and filtration systems continuously during
disinfection. Even without any coagulation/flocculation, rapid sand
and DE filtration will provide some level of Cryptosporidium removal
of microorganisms containing clusters and will promote mixing in
pools.
e. Backwash the filter thoroughly after reaching the Ct value. All
backwash water must be drained to waste. Where appropriate,
change the filter media.
f. Where automatic systems are in place, the probes may need to be
isolated and controllers placed on manual to override the automatic
system.
g. Re-open the pool after the disinfection process is complete and the
free available chlorine and pH are within acceptable operational
range as required by the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water
Spray Park Regulation. (Chlorine levels in the pool may be
reduced with sodium thiosulphate)
h. Pools with water features should chlorinate as described above,
and flush the water features once the 20 ppm has been achieved.
i. Analysis of the water sample following the disinfection procedure is
not required since Crypto is not routinely analysed in pool samples.

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Pool Standards, 2006
b) Disinfection with Supplemental Technology

Supplemental technologies such as ultraviolet disinfection (UV), ozone and

chlorine dioxide, when properly applied, can effectively inactivate protozoans
such as Cryptosporidium. Many of the new disinfectant processes have been
used in drinking water treatment and their application to pool is not well
understood.

Should a facility use a combination of chlorine and supplemental technology, the

number of turnovers required will be determined by the regional health authority
in order to achieve an equivalent Ct of 9600.

IV. Low Volume Pools - Whirlpools and Wading Pools

If low volume pools such as a whirlpools, teach pools or wading pools are
contaminated with loose stool, the fecal matter must be removed, the pool
drained and the pool basin cleaned and disinfected.

After cleaning, the pool basin should be disinfected with a 100 ppm chlorine
solution (6.7 ml of 5.25% bleach in 1 gallon water). The water should be
recirculated for 2 full turnovers in order to ensure that all parts of the system are
superchlorinated. A recirculating type pool should be refilled and then re-opened
when free chlorine levels and pH are within acceptable operational range as
specified by the Regulation. Flow-through pools may resume operation following
disinfection of the pool basin.

V. Recordkeeping and Notification

All fecal accidents must be recorded in a log book describing the date, time of the
event, type of incident, concentration of free available chlorine and ORP at the
time, pH, procedures followed and the person(s) conducting the procedures.

Any release of liquid fecal material into a pool should be reported to the regional
health authority within 24 hours.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 Reference Materials
________________________________________________________________

A. Approval Process for Ultraviolet (UV) Treatment

The following protocol provides a reference for regional health authorities

regarding the application of ultraviolet technology in response to fecal
contamination and the steps required to evaluate and approve its use in a pool.
(EPCOR, County of Strathcona, 2002)

The steps required to certify a pool prior to using UV are to:

a. Measure and evaluate water quality

b. Conduct dye and/or mixing study of pool
c. Determine turnovers needed to respond to fecal contamination
d. Install an approved UV system
e. Follow protocol to operate UV system

1. Measure and Evaluate Water Quality

Transmittance describes the extent to which radiation is able to pass through the
water. Transmittance, which is affected by organics in the pool, is a key
parameter that will determine whether a UV system will be effective in a
particular pool.The United States Environmental Protection Agency indicates that
95% transmittance reflects an excellent source of water, 85% transmittance
reflects "good" source and 75% transmittance is a "fair" source of water. If below
80% transmittance, the design of the lamps becomes more complex and more
UV lamps may be required.

2. Conduct Dye and/or Mixing Study of Pool

Since the UV reactor is installed in the pool piping system (after the pool filters),
a mixing study must be done on the pool to ensure that there are no dead zones
in the pool basin and that 99% of pool water goes through the filter over the
specified number of turnovers. If there are dead zones, any contaminants in
these zones will not pass through the UV unit in an acceptable time period. A
mixing study should be conducted in two phases - a dye test and a tracer study.
A dye test is a visual test while a tracer test provides quantitative results.

Dye Test

An initial dye test will identify circulation patterns in the pool. To pass the test,
the entire body of water should change to a fully dispersed dye color within 20
minutes. If unsuccessful, the circulation system should be modified and the pool
retested prior to any further steps.

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Pool Standards, 2006
Tracer Study
A tracer study provides more precise information regarding the mixing and circulation of
the pool water. It determines how long it takes for water to turn over in the pool using a
standard methodology from the water industry. It measures the length of time required
for a tracer chemical to fully mix into the pool and reach full equilibrium after reaching
the filters. The results are interpreted on a pool by pool basis.

3. Turnovers Needed to Respond to Fecal Contamination

UV can achieve a 3-log removal of Cryptosporidium at an applied dose of 20 mJ/cm2. If
a pool is demonstrated to be properly mixed, a properly applied UV system has the
ability to make the pool safe in 4 to 6 pool turnovers.

Based on the mixing study, the number of pool turnovers required to reduce
Cryptosporidium levels in the pool to a safe level (no more than 1 oocyst/10 litres of
water) can be determined. If the pool is well mixed it has been estimated that 99.7% of
the water will have passed through the UV system in 4 pool turnovers, 99.95% in 5 pool
turnovers and 99.99% in 6 pool turnovers. Depending on the volume of the pool and
estimated contamination level, between 4 to 6 turnovers can reduce the
Cryptosporidium to a safe level. The actual number of turnovers will have to be
demonstrated to and approved by the regional health authority on a pool by pool basis.

4. Install an Approved UV System

An in-line UV disinfection system with full stream - 100% pass system with no side or
slip stream must be used in pools. The following components are required for an
approved UV system:
Reactor Validation: Reactors must be validated by bio-assay to ensure that the
geometry and configuration of the reactor can provide the dose listed by the
manufacturer.
Design Dose: A minimum dose of 20 mJ/cm2 is required for the poorest predicted water
quality.
Sensors: Reactors must have sensors to ensure that the required dose of UV light is
being met. The sensors can be used to confirm and adjust the dose as required, and
indicate when to change lamps or clean the quartz sleeves.
Monitoring / Alarming: A control system should be included with the UV unit that
provides information on the UV operation to be historically recorded. This system should
also give alarms, notifying the pool owner or responsible persons that a breakdown has
occurred or some maintenance is required.

5. Follow Protocol to Operate UV System

The lamps and their quartz sleeves in the ultraviolet system require periodic attention to
maintain efficient operation. Daily checks of the control system are required to ensure
that the UV unit is operating within parameters.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 B. Inactivation of Viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium
Dr. Norman Neumann, Provincial Laboratory for Public Health
Dr. Steve Craik, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, University of Alberta
January 2003

Viruses

The resistance of pathogens to chlorine can be described by determining their

respective Ct values. However, there are few studies on viral inactivation and
these were conducted at lower temperatures, with different water matrix
conditions. The following table provides some guidance as to the resistance of
these viruses.

Virus Water type Temp(°C) pH Ct Log

Removal
Rotavirus Wastewater 15 7.2 20.5 <1
Rotavirus Buffered water 4 7.0 0.03 5
Poliovirus Buffered water 25 7.1 1 3.5
Hepatitis A Buffered water 25 7.5 0.6 4

Giardia

Much more work has been done on Giardia and published by Alberta
Environment in "Standards and Guidelines for Municipal Waterworks,
Wastewater and Storm Drainage Systems". These inactivation standards have
been adopted by Alberta Environment in their “Standards and Guidelines for
Municipal Waterworks, Wastewater and Storm Drainage Systems (1997).

pH Temp (°C) Ct
3 log Inactivation*
7.0 25 46
7.5 25 55
8.0 25 67

* A safety factor of 1.5 was applied by US EPA and adopted by Alberta

Environment.

Based on this information, a Ct of 60, as required in this standard for low risk
incidents of formed stool, would be adequate to inactivate Giardia in the pool.

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Pool Standards, 2006
Cryptosporidium

Although more research is needed on the resistance of Cryptosporidium in a pool

setting, the paper by Gyűrek, L.L., Finch, G.R. and Belosevic, M. (1997) provides the
following information of extrapolated results from their predictive inactivation model:

pH Tempº C Ct Ct
2 log inactivation 3 log inactivation
6 22 5,500 12,300
7 22 6,800 15,100
7.5 22 9,800 22,000
8.0 22 19,000 43,300

Further experimental work indicates that for Cryptosporidium, a Ct of 9600 may provide
a 3 log removal at 25ºC and pH 7.5 with filtration providing 0.5 log inactivation per pass
of water.
Characteristics of Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium hominus previously known as C. parvum human genotype 1 are

protozoan gastrointestinal parasites causing diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and in some
cases, abdominal pain. It is associated with humans, as well as cattle and other
domestic animals.
The parasite is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. During an infection, oocysts are
produced and released in the feces. The oocysts are highly resistant to chlorine and are
excreted at the onset of symptoms and several weeks after symptoms resolve. In a
moist environment, they may remain infectious for 2-6 months.
Recent studies have demonstrated that as few as 10 oocysts can cause infection in
humans.
A 1999 survey of Giardia and Cryptosproidium in formed stools demonstrated that
formed stools do not appear to contain Cryptosporidium, whereas 4.4% were shown to
be positive for Giardia (MMWR, May 25,2001). These results confirm a low prevalence
of Cryptosporidium within formed stools. Current requirements for removal of formed
stool and pool treatment are adequate to inactivate Giardia and other known viral and
bacterial pathogens.

In addition to its chlorine resistance, the Cryptosporidium oocyst is 4-6um in diameter,

making it too small to be removed completely by standard rapid sand filtration or
diatomaceous earth. In England, studies have shown that with enhanced filtration using
a low filter rate and efficient coagulation, a 3 log removal can be achieved. (Gregory,
2002) In Alberta, the drinking water standards give only a 2 log credit for filtration with
optimized coagulation, filtration, flocculation and settling. Therefore, one more log credit
would be needed to remove cryptosporidium. Inactivation of oocysts by ozone,
ultraviolet radiation or chlorine dioxide has also proven to be effective.

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Pool Standards, 2006
 C. Equivalent Ct Values for Chlorination at 25°C*

Chlorine
Concentration pH time time C(mg/l)x t(min)
(C mg/l) (min) (hours)

10 mg/l 7.5 960 16 9600

(minimum concentration
allowed)
15 mg/l 7.5 640 10.6 9600
20 mg/l 7.5 480 8 9600
25 mg/l 7.5 384 6.4 9600
40 mg/l 7.5 240 4 9600
80 mg/l 7.5 120 2 9600

¾ At higher temperatures the effectiveness of the chlorine is enhanced.

¾ Ct values must be doubled for each 10°C drop in temperature.

¾ 10 mg/l is the lowest concentration of chlorine used in research and it is

difficult to extrapolate to concentrations below that.

¾ “Concentration” used in this table is the residual at the end of the specified
contact time – not the dose applied or the average residual.

______________________________________________________________ 25
Pool Standards, 2006
 Bibliography

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of Public Aquatic Facilities.

Alberta Association of Recreational Facility Personnel. Recommended Procedure for

Fecal Accidents in a Swimming Pool.

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of Epidemiology. 6(3):244-247.

Calgary Health Region. (March 2002) Field Operations Procedures Relating to

Swimming Pool and Whirlpools.

Capital Regional Health Authority. (November 2001) "Management of Fecal Accidents in

Swimming Pools".

Carpenter, C. et al. (1999) "Chlorine Disinfection of Recreational Water Cryptosporidium

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Croll, BT. (2002) "The latest position in Cryptosporidium control". Presented at the
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Gregory,R. (2002) "Benchmarking Pool Water Treatment for Coping with

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Health. 111(4):249-253.

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Pool Standards, 2006
Kauppinen,K.(1997) “Facts and fables about sauna”. Annals of New York Academy of
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Pool Standards, 2006