10-144 C.M.R. ch. 202, § 7 - HYGIENIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR PUBLIC POOLS AND SPAS

A. Common Towels, Cups, Etc.

1. The use of shared towels, drinking cups, combs, hair brushes or other common toilet articles is prohibited.

2. No glass is allowed into the pool or spa area, including the deck area.

B. Pollution of Pool or Spa Prohibited

1. Urinating, discharge of fecal matter, vomiting, bleeding, expectorating or blowing the nose in any public pool or spa is prohibited. The Department requires posting of notices directing the bathers to make use of the toilets and showers before entering the pool or spa.

2. If a formed fecal stool, vomiting, or bleeding accident occurs, the public pool or spa must be closed, with as much of the fecal material removed as possible (if the accident involved fecal material), and the free chlorine residual raised to a minimum of 2.0 ppm, if necessary, with the pH maintained between 7.2 and 7.5 for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes. The water must be continuously filtered during this period. The pool may then be reopened after all the procedures in Section 7(B)(2) are followed. (C).

3. If a diarrheal fecal accident occurs, the public pool or spa must be closed, as much of the fecal material removed as possible, the free chlorine residual raised to 20 ppm, and the pH maintained between 7.2 and 7.5 for a minimum of eight (8) hours. The filtration system must be operated continuously during this period and backwashed to waste at the end of 8 hours. After a minimum of 8 hours, and the chlorine level is within the parameters of Appendix A, then the pool or spa may be reopened. (C).

4. For all fecal, vomiting, or bleeding accidents, an event log must be recorded. The log must include, at minimum, the following information: date and time of event; whether formed stool, vomiting, bleeding or diarrhea existed; free chlorine residual at time of event; free chlorine residual and pH at time of pool reopening, and a description of the procedures followed during the event, including the process used to increase the free chlorine residual, if necessary. (C).

C. Health of Employees and Patrons

1. No person ill with vomiting or diarrhea may use any public pool or spa.

2. No person with infectious skin rashes may use any public pool or spa.

3. Co-use of any public pool or spa by humans and animals is prohibited.

4. All infants and children who are not toilet trained must wear rubber swim pants while in the pool.

Notes

10-144 C.M.R. ch. 202, § 7