Following the guidelines provided in the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Swimming Pools, Spas, and Recreational Water Parks (Chapter 290-5-57), the local health departments conduct inspections to evaluate the compliance of all public swimming pool facilities.  These inspections cover a broad range of topics, such as suction and entrapment hazards, chemical operational parameters, safety equipment, and warning signs.  The local health authority also has the responsibility of enforcing the Georgia rules and regulation's requirement that every public swimming pool shall be under the supervision of a Certified Pool Operator (CPO).  All plans for new construction of a public swimming pool are reviewed by the health department in the county where they will be located to ensure that the pool facility will meet certain criteria, such as structural design tolerances, required turn over rate, sufficient filter capacity, proper pump size, elimination of suction and entrapment hazards, adequate storage for chemicals and safety equipment, sufficient dressing and showering facilities, minimum setbacks for equipment and features, and proper barriers.  Through our pool program we strive to ensure that all of Northwest Georgia's public pools will be safe for the community to use.

Permit Requirements   |   Plan Requirements  |   Application Procedures   |   CPO Courses   |   Chlorine Sanitizing   |   Testing Requirements

Permit Requirements

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a public pool, spa or recreational water park, without having first obtained a valid operating permit from the health authority pursuant to the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Swimming Pools, Spas, and Recreational Water Parks Chapter 290-5-57.

1. Permits are invalidated by change of ownership.
2. Prior to the issuance of a permit to new or existing public pools, spas or recreational water park attractions, the applicant shall provide evidence of satisfactory compliance with the provisions of these rules and all other provisions of laws which apply to the location, construction and maintenance of the pool, spa or recreational water park and the safety of persons therein.
3. The permit shall be prominently displayed at all times, as close to the main entrance as practicable, as determined by the health authority.
4. The permit shall be the property of the health authority and shall be returned within seven days to the local health authority when the pool, spa or recreational water park ceases to operate, has a change of ownership or where the permit is revoked.
5. An operating permit shall not be valid for more than twelve (12) months.

Pool Plan Requirements

1. Submission of Plans:  Properly prepared plans and specifications must be submitted to the local health authority for review, approval and issuance of a construction permit when a public swimming pool, spa or recreational water park attraction is constructed or extensively remodeled or renovated or when an existing structure is converted to use as a public pool, spa or recreational water park.
2. Plans and Specifications:  The plans and specifications shall be submitted to the health authority of the county in which the pool, spa or recreational water park is constructed at least fourteen (14) days prior to beginning construction.  The plans shall indicate, at a minimum, the following:
3. • Proposed layout
   • Mechanical plans
   • Construction materials
   • Type and model of proposed equipment
     
     
4. A minimum of two (2) sets of drawings of the construction project shall be submitted, containing complete details so as to clearly document to the health authority the work to be undertaken (Additional sets of drawings may be required).

   • Drawings shall be complete and shall comply with standard architectural/engineering practice
   • The maximum bathing load shall be stated on the plans
5. Complete specifications of the project shall accompany the prints including:

   • Manufacturer's cut sheets
   • Specifications on all equipment
   • DHR hydraulics analysis worksheet
6. Any additional data required by the health authority for purpose of clarification, anticipated use or to support any changes in design or scope of the project must be submitted prior to issuance of a permit to construct.

   • District 1-1 Certification Statement
7. One (1) signed and approved set of the construction plans shall remain at the construction sight at all times during construction.
8. The swimming pool, spa or recreational water park shall be built in compliance with the plans as approved unless subsequent written approval of changes has been given by the health authority.
9. The swimming pool, spa or recreational water park owner or agent shall notify the health authority at specific, predetermined stages of construction and at the time of completion of the pool to allow inspections (See District 1-1 Certification Statement).
10. A construction permit is valid for twelve (12) months from the date of issue.  After this time the health authority may require resubmission of plans and specifications and issuance of a new construction permit if the project has not begun or has not been completed.

Pool Permit Application Procedures

Application for Initial Operating Permit

1. The management of a public pool, spa or recreational water park shall submit to the health authority an application to operate a swimming pool, spa or recreational water park attraction at least (14) days prior to the start of construction.
2. The application shall be prepared in duplicate on forms provided by the Department.  The original shall be forwarded to the health authority and a copy retained by the management.

   • Pool Construction Application Form

Application for Renewal of Operating Permit

1. The management of a public pool, spa or recreational water park shall submit to the health authority an application to operate a swimming pool, spa or recreational water park attraction at least (14) days prior to the projected date of opening .
2. The application shall be prepared in duplicate on forms provided by the Department.  The original shall be forwarded to the health authority and a copy retained by the management.

   • Pool Operation Application Form

CPO Training Course

Certified Pool Operators (CPO) are required  under the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Swimming Pools, Spas, and Recreational Water Parks (Chapter 290-5-57).  Currently, only persons who have passed a CPO training course approved by the National Swimming Pool Foundation or by the State of Georgia will be considered as acceptable CPOs under the current regulation.

State Approved CPO Courses

Introduction to Chlorine Sanitizing

Chlorine is generally used for pool treatment because it has three essential characteristics needed to properly maintain a pool.  Chlorine can act as a rapid and persistent sanitizer, as well as, an effective algaecide.  It can also act as a strong oxidizer of undesired contaminants. 

Chlorine Basics

Listed below are some helpful definitions that will assist you in understanding the terms and tasks of applying chlorine-based sanitizers.

• Parts per million (ppm). Measurement that indicates the parts of a substance, such as chlorine, by weight in relation to one million parts by volume of pool water. A rule of thumb to follow to maintain good water quality in pools is to keep FAC levels between 1.5 and 3.0 PPM.

Basic Steps for Pool Treatment

Carefully read and follow the manufacture's instructions printed on the chlorine treatment package and test the water regularly, its a simple process to use a test kit.  You want to maintain water balance by measuring:

• Free available chlorine (FAC), which should never fall below 1.5 PPM

How Much of What?

The guidelines set by the National Spa and Pool Institute are widely used, but to be certain, you should also check the health codes of the jurisdiction where you live. The chemicals a pool needs to maintain the required standards differ from pool to pool – and day to day. Keeping records to "get to know" a pool can help you interpret its characteristics and perform the correct task.

Testing Requirements

All testing should be done with a approved test kit that us capable of testing for all parameter required under Georgia's Rule and Regulations for Swimming Pools, Spas, and Recreational Water Parks (Chapter 290-5-57).  The state has approved the following test kits as being acceptable in meeting all the standards required under the regulation,which can be purchased from the following websites.

www.taylortechnologies.com/pool-spa.asp

The Georgia Rule's and Regulations also require that appropriate records be kept on file.  In order, to assist you in the process of knowing what records to keep and how often they should be kept, our district has created a form, which can be printed from the link below.

Daily Pool Inspection Chart

Shock Treatment 

Contrary to what most people think, a strong chlorine smell is not an indication of too much chlorine in the pool but actually a red flag that a super dose may be required to correct the problem. Shock treatment adds a larger than normal amount of oxidizing chemicals to pool water. This additional dose destroys organic contaminants and oxidizes ammonia and nitrogen compounds to rid the area of irritating chloramine odor and, if chlorine is used for the purpose, to sanitize the water. Many chlorine shock products also provide usage instructions for destroying algae and bacteria, which can be an added benefit. Shocking should be done with the pump and filter operating, but after sundown to avoid the loss of chlorine to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Superchlorination is another term that is sometimes used for shock treatment with chlorine products when 5 or more PPM of FAC is added. This mode of shock treatment — in addition to oxidizing undesired wastes – is used to rid the pool of algae and bacteria that might be hiding in filters and hard-to-sanitize areas. Superchlorination also gets rid of chloramine odor. Adding 10 times the level of combined chlorine or chloramines in the water achieves so-called breakpoint chlorination when there is enough extra chlorine to consume the irritating chloramines.

According to NSPI standards for public pools, the ideal frequency for a super dose is every week, depending on use and water temperature. For high school pools, superchlorination may be required three times a week or more as a preventive measure. NSPI also suggests that a good indicator of the need for a super dose is when combined chlorine climbs near or above 0.2 PPM

Basic Rules of Thumb 

• Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

• Chemical Storage - DOs and DON'Ts

• Cost Savers Tip:  Save on chemical costs by adding chlorine for shock
  treatment after dark – during the day some will be lost to sunlight.
  
  
• Fecal Incident Chart (Revised 2004)

Approved Signs

• Pentair: Pool & Spa Signs R235100 (NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY)
  and R235200 (POOL RULES)
  www.pentairpool.com