Thousands of people enjoy the public pools and spas in our area each year.

SWUPHD regulates these facilities to help reduce the risk to the public for water-related adverse health events such as injuries, drowning, and recreational water illnesses like cryptosporidiosis.

If you have any questions not addressed here, please contact your local SWUPHD Environmental Health Division Office.

Environmental Health Forms, Including Pool & Spa Forms

FAQ

• What is required to build a new public pool or spa?
• Are any pools exempt from regulation?
• Are there any age limits for the use of a public pool or spa?
• How do I deal with a fecal release event at my pool? 
• What is Cryptosporidiosis?
• What is a QPO?
• How do I become a QPO?
• What is a Pool Plan?
• How often do I need to submit a pool plan?
• Where can I find a pool log sheet that is acceptable to SWUPHD?
• How often should I be checking my pool?
• How often should a QPO inspect public pools or spas?
• How often does SWUPHD inspect public pools or spas?
• What bacteria tests are required each month?
• Why are bacteria tests being required by SWUPD?
• Where can I find a lab to perform bacteria testing for my pool and spa water samples?
• How do I find the Saint George Water Reclamation Lab?
• How do I find the SUU Water Lab?
• I have a suction vacuum release system (SVRS) on my pool or spa, do I need anything else?
• What is the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA)?
• What safety equipment is required for a public pool?
• What signs are required for a pool or spa enclosure?
• When is a pool required to have lifeguards?
• What are the requirements for being a lifeguard at a public pool?
• Why is my home owners association pool considered a public pool?
• I own/care for a public pool or spa that is not being regulated, what should I do?
• What is the permit cost for a public pool?

FAQ

• What is required to build a new public pool or spa? Back to top 
  • Begin by submitting plans, signed by an architect or engineer, and an application to your local Environmental Division of SWUPHD.  It is always easier to fix problems on paper than it is once construction has begun.  Plans MUST include design specifications for fencing, and pool buildings for restrooms, etc.  See the Swimming Pool Checklist for a complete list of the minimum requirements for what needs to be shown on the plans. There is also a $100 plan review fee.  If the plans and application are in order an approval letter will be issued and plans will be wet stamped with an approval seal.  One set of approved plans must remain with SWUPHD, if you need approved plans returned to you, submit multiple copies.  
• Are any pools exempt from regulation? Back to top 
  • Yes, all private pools used by an individual, family or three or fewer living units are exempt from regulation.  Also pools and spa that are used exclusively for therapeutic purposes and are attended by licensed medical or physiotherapy personnel are exempt from R392-302 if they drain the pool after each use.  If a therapy pool does not drain after each use then it must comply with R392-302 sections 27,28 & 29
• Are there any age limits for the use of a public pool or spa? Back to top 
  • Yes, children under the age of 5 may not use a public spa pool under any circumstances.   Also where life guard services are not provided, children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.  Even where life guard services are provided, children under the age of 3 must wear swim diapers and waterproof pants.  
• How do I deal with a fecal release event at my pool? Back to top 
  • Close the pool immediately! After the public has safely exited the pool or spa enclosure, follow the guidelines from the CDC’s Fecal Incident Response Recommendations for Pool Staff.  
• What is Cryptosporidiosis? Back to top 
  • Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as "Crypto." For more information visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website on crypto.

• What is a QPO? Back to top 
  • A QPO, or Qualified Pool Operator, is a person qualified under R392-30-29(1), Examples include, but are not limited to,  those with certificates from the National Swimming pool Foundation’s Certified Pool Operator (CPO) course, the National recreation and Parks Association’s Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO) course, and Salt Lake  Community College’s Pool & Spa  Operator Certification Course.
• How do I become a QPO? Back to top
  • Received Certification from a course approve by the Utah State Health Department.  Currently approved courses include the National Swimming pool Foundation’s Certified Pool Operator (CPO) course, the National recreation and Parks Association’s Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO) course, and Salt Lake  Community College’s Pool & Spa  Operator Certification Course.

• What is a Pool Plan? Back to top 
  • A pool plan is a plan developed by the QPO and the pool or spa owners to maintain the sanitation and operational condition of the public pool or spa.  Plans must be on file with SWUPHD and expire on December 31^st of the year they were submitted.
• How often do I need to submit a pool plan? Back to top 
  • Pool Plans for public pools or spas must be reviewed and submitted annually. Each Plan expires on December 31^st of the year it was submitted and a new plan is due by Apri1st of the next year. Additionally, the plan should be reviewed and re-submitted each time the QPO changes, The pool or spa ownership changes, or changes are made to the circulation system. Sample pool plan is available here and guidelines for creating a pool plan can be found here.
• Where can I find a pool log sheet that is acceptable to SWUPHD? Back to top 
  • A sample log sheet can be found here.  Any log sheet that records the information indicated on the Sample Log Sheet in an easily readable manner is acceptable.  A separate log must be kept for each pool or spa.
• How often should I be checking my pool? Back to top 
  • The frequency of check on a pool is determined by the pool plan developed by the pool owner and the QPO. Each public pool or spa should have the pool chemistry, flow rate, and general pool conditions a minimum of once each day.  Pools or spas that are not performing monthly bacteriological testing should be making these checks at least four times a day. See section four of Pool Plan Guidelines for more details.
• How often should a QPO inspect public pools or spas? Back to top
  • Each public pool or spa must be inspected at least once each week by the person whose name is on file with SWUPHD as the assigned QPO.  The QPO is also responsible for performing the required monthly bacteriological testing.
• How often does SWUPHD inspect public pools or spas? Back to top
  • Each public pool or spa should be inspected by a representative of the SWUPHD Environmental Health division at least once each year.  Additional inspections are conducted when complaints are received and as determined necessary by the inspector.  Occasionally staffing issues or other problems limit the inspectors’ ability to inspect each pool.
• What bacteria tests are required each month? Back to top
  • R392-302-27(9) requires that each pool monthly test for the presence of coliform bacteria as well as a plate count for total colonies of all bacteria. At this time SWUPHD will only be requiring presence or absence of coliform testing, the plate count testing is highly recommended, but will not be required until the test can be readily provided in the area.

• Why are bacteria tests being required by SWUPD? Back to top
  • This requirement has been in the Utah state code in some form for more than 20 years, but has not been enforced in this area because of the difficulty in having the required testing performed.   Instead all public pools in the area have been treated as if they have failed the bacteriological testing and required to test the pool chemistry four times each day.  By requiring monthly bacteriological testing SWUPHD can allow public pools to develop plans for maintaining pools with pool chemistry tests as little as once each day.

• Where can I find a lab to perform bacteria testing for my pool and spa water samples?
  • Coliform testing can be obtained locally at the Southern Utah University (SUU) Water Lab, and as of June 15^th, 2010, at the Saint George Water Reclamation Lab (SGWRL).  Any other lab certified under R444-14 to perform the required testing may also be used.  For both SUU Water Lab and SGWRL sample bottles will need to be obtained from the lab to collect water samples in.

• How do I find the Saint George Water Reclamation Lab? Back to top
  • The SGWRL is located at 3780 S 1550 W in Saint George and can be reached at (435) 627-4279.  Directions:  1.Take freeway exit 4 (Bloomington/Bloomington Hills)
  • Right on Pioneer Road by Chevron Station.
  • Right on Man of War.
  • Left on Bloomington Drive.
  • Left on 1550 West.
  • Right at stop sign.
  • Follow road all the way to the plant.
  • Go through fenced area to building with the flag pole and drive to the back of that building.  Go to door labeled “Lab”.

Click here for a map from I-15 exit 4. The SGWRL has requested that samples come in as large of groups as possible to help keep the cost of testing at a minimum.   SGWRL will accept samples from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; the lab may also request proof of certification as a QPO to gain entry to the lab and have bacteriological testing performed.

• How do I find the SUU Water Lab? Back to top
  • The Water Lab is located on the Southern Utah university campus in room 206 of the Science Building (Building 32).  The building faces 200 South Just west of 300 east. For more information please visit  the SUU Water Lab website

• I have a suction vacuum release system (SVRS) on my pool or spa, do I need anything else?
  • Yes, SVRS systems need to be tested according to manufacturer’s recommendations at least once each week.  Failure to perform this test invalidates the system as a solution for the VGBA.  SVRS systems are also required to have either an audible or visual alarm that covers the pool enclosure along with a sign that prohibits the use of the pool or spa when the alarm is activated.

• What is the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA)? Back to top
  • The Virginia Graeme Baker Act requires that all public pools and spas, regardless of when they were built, have a method of preventing suction entrapment on the pool drain.  Suction entrapment prevention is achieved by having drain covers that are stamped with VGB 2008.  This indicates that the drain cover meets a standard set by the VGBA.  A list of approved drain covers is provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Poolsafety.gov Web Site. The VGBA also requires that pools and spas have a secondary method for preventing suction entrapment.  This is usually done by having two or more main drains, spaced at least 3 ft. apart, attached to a single pump.  A single unblock able drain may also be used. These are the only two methods allowed for new construction, but a single drain with a properly installed suction vacuum release system (SVRS) may be used on existing pools.

• What safety equipment is required for a public pool? Back to top
  • Each public pool must have a life hook, a ring buoy with attached rope and a first aid kit. The ring buoy rope must be ten feet longer than the widest point of the pool.  Where lifeguards are provided the lifeguard rescue tubes may be used as a substitute for the ring buoy.

• What signs are required for a pool or spa enclosure? Back to top
  • Where lifeguards are not provided,  a warning sign must be placed in plain view and shall state: WARNING - NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY and BATHERS SHOULD NOT SWIM ALONE, with clearly legible letters, at least 4 inches high, 10.16 centimeters. In addition, the sign must also state CHILDREN 14 AND UNDER SHOULD NOT USE POOL WITHOUT RESPONSIBLE ADULT SUPERVISION.  See the Recreational Bathing Facility Sign Requirements for additional rules that must be posted.

• When is a pool required to have lifeguards? Back to top
  • Lifeguard service must be provided where direct fees are charged for the use of the pool, or if public funds support the operation of the pool.  All other pools must either provide lifeguard service, or clearly post signs stating that life guard service is not provided.

• What are the requirements for being a lifeguard at a public pool? Back to top
  • Lifeguards for public pools in Utah must be trained in Standard Level First Aid, C.P.R for professional rescuers, and Lifeguarding.  This training must be certified by the American Red Cross, Ellis and associates, or an equivalent program approved by the Utah State Department of Health.

• Why is my home owners association pool considered a public pool? Back to top
  • Home owners associations generally consist of four or more living units, and therefore meet the definition of a public pool.  At this time Utah does not differentiate different types of public pools.

• I own/care for a public pool or spa that is not being regulated, what should I do?
  • First, call your local Environmental Health Division office to determine if SWUPHD has a record of the pool.  If no record is available the please fill out and submit the Existing Facility Application.  If SWUPHD does have a record of the pool or spa then you may ask to speak with the inspector for that facility to determine if the pool is in need of an inspection.

• What is the permit cost for a public pool? Back to top
  • As of January 2009, a public pool permit is $100 for the first pool or spa and $50 for each additional pool or spa.  Fees are reviewed each year by the board of health and are subject to change.