Public Swimming pools and spas

Guidelines For Health And Safety In Public Places

Public swimming pools and spas.

Requirements under the Guidelines

  • A notice must be displayed advising all pool users to consider the use of sanitary and shower facilities before entry into the pool
  • A notice must be displayed near the pool prohibiting nose blowing, spitting and other bodily functions in the pool
  • A Spa Pool Bather Warning Notice in accordance with the attached sample must be displayed in a prominent position near spa pools.
  • All public swimming pools and spa pools are to be tested for microbiological quality on a monthly basis, or more frequently if directed in writing by an Environmental Health Officer
    The Council will continue to provide the water sampling service but recent fee increases from the testing laboratory have set sampling fees as follows:-
         Monthly sample $40.00
         Resample $50.00
  • The Place of Assembly licence holder must maintain a logbook that records:-
    Water quality information, and the number of patrons using each pool on each day
  • The licence holder must maintain records of microbiological water sample results
    (the Council will provide licence holders with copies of the results from the testing laboratory)

For information only:

The Guidelines suggest that consideration should be given to the following:

  • The need for personnel qualified and experienced in life saving and resuscitation to supervise pool use
  • The need for qualified and experienced personnel to maintain pool water quality and operate plant/equipment

Cleaning of spa baths

Information for managers of hotels, motels, cottages, B&Bs, health and residential care facilities, therapeutic services, adult services and householders.

The problem

  • Spa baths circulate water through pipes with the assistance of a pump and a booster heater
  • Spa baths, unlike swimming pools or spa pools, do not have a filter so any dirt that is not drained out remains within the piping system
  • Body fats, together with soap residue and other products such as aromatherapy oils become deposited on the insides of the piping system which block off the supply of water to the outlets and are also a hygiene problem
  • Apart from the grease from previous users, this debris is also a harbourage for the survival of bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Staphlycoccus, which can be associated with ear, eye, hair follicle and wound infections
  • Circulating the water by itself does not usually remove this material.  A degreasing solution must be used to remove these fats and oils

The solution

  • There are commercially formulated degreasing solutions specifically manufactured for use in spas
  • When circulated according to manufacturer's directions, these should remove all fats and debris that are adhered to the piping and deposit the debris in the bath to be drained away
  • This debris is normally brown in colour, and you may be surprised when you use a spa cleaner for the first time at the amount of debris which can accumulate within the piping system
  • Choose a degreaser that also has a sanitising action so that the pipes remain hygienically clean until the bath is used again
  • Degrease your spa regularly so that your clients can be assured that their use of the spa is an enjoyable and hygienic experience.  Between each client or after each room stay are suggested intervals between degreasing

Installation of your spa

Spa baths should be installed according to Australian Standard AS 3861 so that the water drains from the pump when released from the bath. This will minimise the amount of stagnant water left in the system that may support microbial growth. A degreaser is still required even if the spa is self draining.

Installation of a commercial spa will require applications for plumbing and special connection permits.  these forms are available from the Customer Service Centre or this website.

Installation of a domestic spa in many cases will not required the aforementioned permits.  However it is suggested that advice be sought from Council's Plumbing and Drainage Officer on 6238 2764 prior to installation.

If you have any queries in relation to installing a spa please contact Council's Plumbing and Drainage Officer at the Customer Service Centre on 6238 2764.