California Swimming Pool Inspection Laws
California has laws regarding the safety standards and inspection requirements that all public swimming pool operators within the state must follow. The laws help ensure that operators properly maintain the quality of public pools to prevent bacteria from developing and spreading throughout the water. Although privately-owned home swimming pools are exempt, the requirements apply to all California public pools, including commercial pools that charge entrance fees, hotel pools and apartment-complex pools.
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Inspections
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Public swimming pools in California are tested once a year by certified inspectors. If a department receives multiple complaints about a given public pool, the frequency of inspections for that pool may increase. The inspector examines the pool to assess the conditions of the water and to verify that the pool operator is following safety regulations. If an operator fails to meet the requirements, the inspector can close the pool until the problems are fixed.
pH Levels
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According to the California code of regulations, under Title 22, Chapter 20, Section 65529, all operators of public swimming pools must use disinfectant chlorine chemicals to effectively sanitize the water. If the water contains an insufficient amount of chlorine, harmful bacteria can contaminate the pool. However, if the water contains an excessive amount of chlorine, swimmers can receive skin rashes, eye irritations and severe infections. Thus, the code requires all public pool operators to maintain a pH chemical level ranging between 7.2 and 8.
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Purification
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To purify the water, public pool operators must ensure that the water is constantly being recirculated. The code mandates that all operators must use pumps, filters, flow indicators, chemical feeders and gauges to recirculate and purify the water whenever the pool is available for use. The equipment used to purify the water must also be able to adequately clean the water so it is clear enough for the inspector to see the bottom of the pool from the top deck.
Cleanliness
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To pass an inspection, a public pool must not contain bacterial threats such as floating scum, sputum or other debris in the water. The structure of the pool must also be kept in a clean condition so that no algae or slime can develop on the bottom, sides or deck of the pool. Furthermore, the bottom floor and walls of the pool must not have any cracks or defects that can pose hazards for the swimmers. When those problems occur, the pool operator is responsible to have the defects repaired.
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References
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