PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS & SPECIAL USE POOLS

Claire Donley EHST
P: 740-652-2816
Email: ENVHealth@fairfieldcountyohio.gov

The Fairfield County Health Department inspects public swimming pools, spas, and special use pools to prevent injury, minimize the potential for disease transmission, and provide a safe and healthy aquatic recreational environment.

Ohio Administrative Code 3701-31 regulates the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of public pools, spas, and special use pools.

Virginia Graeme Baker Act is federal legislation that took effect on December 19, 2008. This act requires that all public swimming pools, spas and special use pools have anti-entrapment and anti-evisceration mechanisms in place by December 19, 2008. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the federal agency tasked with enforcing this legislation. Ohio’s public swimming pools, spas and special use pools must comply with this federal legislation.

RESOURCES

CLEANING UP BODY FLUID at POOL

• How to Clean using Bleach
• Vomit + Blood Contamination

FECAL INCIDENT RESPONSE
• Recommendations

BEACH/POOL RESOURCES

• Inspection Reports
• Beaches
• Pools and Hot Tubs at Home
• Swimming Safely in Lakes, Rivers & Streams
• Visiting Oceans, Lakes & Rivers

USEFUL LINKS

HEALTHY SWIMMING

Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs that can contaminate water in pools, lakes and oceans. The most common human illness threatening pool safety is diarrhea. It is caused by Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella and E.coli germs. A person with diarrhea can contaminate a swimming pool. If swimmers swallow contaminated water, they can become ill.

Public pools, spas and special use pools are required to maintain certain levels of disinfectants in the water to destroy disease causing bacteria, viruses and parasites. Some parasites, like Cryptosporidium, can live in a pool for days even with proper disinfectant levels.

To keep your water experience as safe as possible, please follow the following health tips:

Three Steps for All Swimmers

1) Don't swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
2) Don't swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
3) Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

Three Steps for Parents of Young Kids

1) Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late.
2) Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread in and around the pool.
3) Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Invisible amounts of fecal matter can end up in the pool.

For more information about recreational water illnesses, please log on to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

R. Joseph Ebel, MS, MBA, REHS
Health Commissioner

DEPARTMENT HOURS

Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday

FOR ALL OTHER QUESTIONS
Phone: 740-652-2800
Phone: 614-322-5245
TTY Services

VITAL STATISTICS
Birth & Death Records
Phone: 740-652-2836

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Phone: 740-652-2800 ext. 3

W.I.C. SERVICES
Phone: 740-652-2800
option #4 for appointments

Fairfield County Health Department
1550 Sheridan Drive, Suite 100
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
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