Order Adopted on Pools, Spas, Fountains, Water Features

TYLER � Public swimming pools and public spas in Smith County are required to obtain a permit to operate. Officials say the purpose of the permitting process is to protect the public from illnesses, injuries and deaths associated with public swimming pools, spas, interactive water features and fountains. Services are provided to inspect existing facilities and issue, deny, suspend, or revoke permits. The services include plan review for new facilities, inspection of existing facilities, investigation of complaints and education programs for owners and operators of these facilities.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District Board of Directors approved District Order 2013-1 on January 24; the regulation will become effective March 15. A public swimming pool, public spa, interactive water feature or fountain is a facility open to the public located at hotels, motels, apartment complexes, homeowner associations, municipal parks, country clubs, therapeutic institutions, fitness centers, child care facilities, schools and universities. Owners of these facilities maintain an annual permit for each pool, spa, interactive water feature or fountain.

District Order 2013-1 supersedes District Order 2009-1 that provided the rules for implementing the Texas Department of State Health Services Public Swimming Pool and Spa regulations. It was updated to include the interactive water features and fountains now set out in state law and rule. Permit fees for public pools, spas, interactive water features and fountains were also addressed.

The water in a public swimming pools, spas, interactive water features or fountains must be routinely tested to ensure the chlorine residual and pH levels prevent the growth of disease causing bacteria. Regulations require proper depth markers on the pool deck and on the inside of the pool wall to keep swimmers from jumping into unknown water depths. To prevent head and spinal injuries as well as deaths, �No Diving� signs must be permanently placed along the pool deck to warn swimmers it is unsafe to dive.

Proper pool yard enclosures will also be inspected to provide adequate barriers to keep small children away from public swimming pools and spas. Fences must be the proper height, designed to prevent climbing and have a self-closing latching gate. Doors or other openings directly onto pool decks must also have self-closing latching devices. Emergency phones must be clearly marked and available in case of an accident. Safety equipment such as a throwing buoy with rope attached, a shepherds hook and in some cases a backboard must be available at all times.

A copy of District Order 2013-1 is available on the web at http://www.healthyeasttx.org or contact Paul Adams, R.S., at 903-535-0037 for more information.