The swimming pool and spa program aims to prevent recreational water illness and accidents at public swimming pools. Our inspectors check water quality, filtration and circulation equipment, safety equipment, record-keeping, and the maintenance of the overall facility.

Operators must keep a weekly log of the water quality tests, accidents (fecal, vomitus, and injury as they happen), and chemicals added on a Weekly Operation and Incident Report.

If a pool or spa gets contaminated with fecal or vomitus material, the operator must follow the Fecal Incident Flow Chart.

Submitting Plans for a Substantial Alteration of a Public Swimming Pool

If a pool or spa is renovated or substantially altered, plans must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Health, and written approval must be received before any work is started. Visit the ODH website to access their Plan Review Application. The following activities qualify as a substantial alteration or substantial alteration:

• Construction that changes the depth, shape, or the other basic design features of a public swimming pool or spa in a manner that affects pool or spa patron safety or circulation system design and/or adds a special feature or changes a deck, the basic design of a diving board, or the perimeter barrier.
• Complete replacement of the recirculation system
• Installation of a diving board or diving stand, except for a replacement
• Replacement of all return piping or all skimmer piping from the filter room to the pool or the main drain fitting and pipe
• Replacement of more than 50 percent of the gutter overflow system or more than 50 percent of the total number of inlets and outlets

Equipment Replacement

To replace equipment, you must first get approval from the Ohio Department of Health by submitting an Equipment Replacement Notification (ERN). Equipment replacement refers to one of the following:

• Replacement of a disinfection reagent feed device with one using a different reagent, a different method of delivery, or a different flow capacity
• Replacement of an individual filter with one using a different media or a different filtration rate or backwash capacity
• Replacement of an individual pump with one that has a different horsepower or pump flow capacity

Incident Reporting

Any incident associated with a public swimming pool or spa facility that results in death, serious injury, or assistance from emergency medical personnel shall be reported to the licensor within 72 hours following the incident. “Serious injury” is defined as an injury that does not require immediate hospital admission but does require medical treatment other than first aid.

Voluntary reporting of other injuries is highly encouraged.

Injuries should be reported online using the Ohio Public Swimming Pool and Spa Injury Report Form.