POOL AND SPA FACTSHEET
Why test pools and spas?
Use of pool and spas is one of the most favourite recreational activities in our society.
The uses of these facilities are not interrupted by Sydney’s or Australia’s extreme
summer and extreme winter conditions. These facilities are enjoyed by tourists in
Hotels, resorts and Backpacker accommodations, toddlers, teenagers and adults
also use public pools.
Due to its frequent use by locals, nationals as well as internationals it is important
that these facilities are tested on regular basis to control and to prevent water born
diseases. The water is a favourable medium for many different types of pathogens
such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, amoebae and other parasites. These pathogens can
enter a human body through various means such as, cuts/wounds, ingestion,
inhalation, nose and conjunctivitis pathways etc, hence the importance to test and
monitor the pool chemistry as well as the microbial growth on regular basis.
Refer to the following links to expand your understanding and knowledge in relation
to types of pathogens and diseases they cause. The links below also include case
studies of outbreaks of water borne diseases.
Who can test pools and spas?
The Environmental Health Officers of City of Sydney is actively involved in testing
these facilities within the Local Government Areas. . The Health officers gain their
authority to conduct inspections under the Public Health (Swimming Pools and Spa
Pools) Regulation 2000.
The Health Officers test 5 public Council owned pools on monthly bases, and about
150 plus private pools/spas located in hotels, backpacker accommodations and
brothels on 6 monthly bases.
Note: Health officers do not regulate pools and spas in Strata properties.
Refer to the link below to view a complete copy of the regulations
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/num_reg/phpaspr20002000500509.pdf
Health officers are government employees and authorised regulatory officers; as a
proprietor of a premises that provides facility for pools and spas you can also conduct
testing either by yourself or employ a contractor who can carry out testing for you.
Conducting ongoing testing at your premises can assist you in regularly monitoring
the chemical balance of the pool and spa reflecting its ongoing disinfection strength.
Refer to the link below to read more about testing and employing a contractor.
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/downloads/pool_operators_handbook.pdf
What steps do Health Officers undertake when inspecting/testing pool and spas?
The Health Officers use both physical and observational methods to conduct a
thorough inspection of pools/spas and its surroundings as authorised under the
Public Health (Swimming Pools and Spa Pools) Regulation 2000.
The authorised officers test the pool/ spa water using a laser equipped machine
known as the photometer, as well as indicator tablets to test for chemical levels
(disinfectants of the pool/spa water) such as pH, Alkalinity and Chlorine.
Temperature of pool/spa water is also tested to ensure that chemical balances are
not affected by water temperature levels. Besides Chlorine there are other types of
disinfectants that pool proprietor can use, such as: - Ozone, Bromine etc.
Refer to the following link to find out more about other disinfectant chemicals for
Pools and Spas:http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2004/pdf/poolguidelines.pdf
The chemical testing procedure begins by obtaining a water sample from the
pool/spa. In this sample, above indicator tablets are dissolved one at a time in
individual test tubes. This sample is then inserted in the photometer, which passes a
laser through the sample and displays the levels of the chemical being tested on the
screen. These levels are then compared with the acceptable levels as stated within
the Swimming pool and Spa pool Guidelines June 1996. If the chemical tests reveal
unsatisfactory results, it is mandatory for the Health Officers to obtain a water sample
in a sterile jar to test for micro-organisms such as Heterotrophic Plate Counts,
Thermotolerant coliforms and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This sample tested in a
professional external lab.
Refer to the links below for:Chemical compliance criteria:http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Business/documents/Health/PoolSpaGuidelines.
pdf
More information on Heterotrophic Plate Counts, Thermotolerant coliforms and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa:http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/environmental/microbiological_test.html
The Swimming pool and Spa pool Guidelines June 1996 provides a guide to the
Officers with acceptable and unacceptable levels of presence of micro-organisms in
the water. If the pool/spa sample from the lab reveals elevated levels of any of the
above micro-organisms, the Health Officers take appropriate action depending on the
levels obtained. Regulatory action ranges from a warning letter to a closure order.
If the pool/spa is served with a closure order, it must not be made available for public
use until appropriate disinfection procedures are carried out. A resample is
conducted by the Officers and revocation order is only served if the resample is
found satisfactory.
Refer the table below for acceptance level of micro organisms and what actions are
taken if non compliance to this criterion is met.
Type of organism
Maximum
Allowable
Count Action to be taken if greater than
allowable levels
Heterotrophic Plate 100 Colony Forming Serve warning letter if levels between
Count
Units (CFU) per ml
100 and 1000 CFU/mL
Serve closure order if levels greater
than 1000 CFU/mL
Thermotolerant
coliforms
Nil per 100mL
Serve warning letter if levels between
0 and 10 CFU/mL
Serve closure order if levels greater
than 10CFU/mL
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
Nil per 100mL
Serve warning letter if levels between
0 and 10 CFU/mL
Serve closure order if levels greater
than 10 CFU/mL
The Health Officers gain their authority mainly under the Public Health (Swimming
Pools and Spa Pools) Regulation 2000. This piece of legislation enables the Officers
to conduct inspection and take regulatory action where threat to public health is
evident resulting from the use of pools/spas at any premises (assessed through
chemical and Micro biological tests).
The above regulation also permits the Officers to serve a Penalty Infringement Notice
on the pool/spa occupier if the terms of the Order served by the Council (to make the
pool/spa safe for public use), are not complied with. The regulation further puts the
onus onto the occupier to ensure that the pool/spa surroundings, toilets, plant room
etc are kept in a clean and hygienic state. If the Officers reasonably believe that the
premises are not in a clean condition, they are authorised to serve the occupier with
a Penalty Infringement Notice. Such stringent actions allow the City Officers to
prevent and or minimize the occurrence of disease and illnesses from pool & spas.
Refer to the link below to view a complete copy of the regulations
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/num_reg/phpaspr20002000500509.pdf
Pilot projects relating to Pools & Spas
City Health Officers have also introduced pilot projects such as swabbing and Poll
and Spa hygiene workshop.
For the swabbing project various areas of Council pools such as the pool railings,
baby change rooms, male and female change rooms are swabbed with a sterile
swab and tested for Staphylococcus and faecal coliforms. Positive tests from these
swabs indicate cleanliness of the premises. During a disease or illness outbreak from
use of these pools Officers are able to consider these results for cross contamination
as well projecting a possible reason for an outbreak. So far all samples obtained
have found satisfactory results.
Refer to the link below for more information on Staphylococcus and faecal coliforms:The City had recently conducted a ‘Pool and Spa hygiene workshop’ in collaboration
with NSW Health. On 18th November 2010 and 25th November 2011a Pool and Spa
Hygiene awareness workshop was conducted at the Council building, inviting those
involved maintenance and management of swimming and spa pool water. The
workshop was attended by 40 pool operators and maintenance managers. The
contents of the workshop detailed on methods of management and treatment of pool
and spa water, health and safety issues, current Australian legislation, good practice
procedures and a review of recent outbreaks.
Note: A registration portal will be established on City’s website soon with
future dates for this workshop.
REGISTRATION
To register your pool/spa with Sydney City Council please follow the link below and
complete the form. Once completed your details and information regarding your
premises will be lodged on to Councils database and will be subject to six monthly
pool/spa inspections by Councils Health Officers.
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Business/documents/ChangeOfOwnershipForm.
pdf
Pools/Spas in a Strata PropertyPlease note if you are registering for a Pool/Spa in strata premises, Council does not
regulate these pools. It is however recommended that you follow the link provided in
the ‘Pools & Spa factsheet’ and self regulate your pools/spas. If you require any
information you are welcome to contact City’s Health Officers for advice.
POOL AND SPA
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. Why test pools and spas?
A. It is essential for the pools and spas to be tested for its disinfectant and microbial
levels in order to prevent and maintain the good health of public and provide safe
facilities that they can enjoy.
Pools and spas are water based facilities, which means they can be a medium for
numerous pathogens and viruses, bacteria, fungi, amoebae and other parasites
which can lead to water born diseases. If ingested, inhaled and or enter the human
body through cuts and wounds, they can cause numerous common to sever
diseases.
Through the use of disinfectant chemicals and their continuous monitoring, we can
ensure that these pathogens do not breed and or multiply in the pools and spas used
by the public.
Q. Who tests the pools and spas?
A. The pools and spas are tested by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs)
employed by your Local government, the City Council. The Public Health (Swimming
pools and spa pools) regulation 2000 provides the Health Officers powers to conduct
these inspections and take appropriate actions where non- compliance becomes
evident and or where public health is at risk.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/num_reg/phpaspr20002000500509.pdf
Q. How many pools/spas do the EHOs employed by the City of Sydney
regulate?
A. The City’s EHOs regulate approximately 150 commercial pools/spas within the
Citys Councils Local Government Area, these include backpackers accommodations
and hotels. They are also responsible for regulating 5 council owned public pools
namely, Victoria Park, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Cook & Phillip, Andrew Boy
Charlton and Alfred Park pool (under refurbishment).
Q. How often are these pools/spas tested?
A. All commercial pools are tested on 6 monthly bases and all Council owned public
pools are tested on monthly basis.
Q. Do you regulate pools and spas owned by the Strata and private property?
A. No! All strata owned pools and spas are to be maintained by the Strata itself. If
any issues associated with these pools/spas, you must consult the Strata. If in any
case your request is not taken on board or investigated you can contact the NSW
consumer, trader & tenancy tribunal.
All pools/spas on private property are to be maintained by the owners of the private
property themselves.
Q. What procedures do the EHOs carry out while conducted the pool and spa
inspections?
A. Observational
The inspection begins with an observational procedure where the EHOs conduct a
thorough observational inspection of the pool/spa and its surroundings and facilities
(such as showers, bathrooms and baby change rooms). They observe these areas
for any visible source of contaminants and or any source that could result in
contamination of the pool/spas.
Chemical and Microbial
They then commence their chemical testing; this involves use of laser equipment
known as the photometer. Using this equipment the EHOs conduct chemical tests to
check for chemical levels of Free and Total Chlorine, Bromine (if used as a
disinfectant), Alkalinity and pH and also use a water based thermometer to check for
the temperature. If any of these chemicals fail to comply with the levels stated within
the Swimming pool and Spa pool Guidelines June 1996 the EHOs obtain a water
sample to test for the presence of micro-organisms such as the Heterotrophic Plate
Counts, Thermotolerant coliforms and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This sample Is
tested by an external contracted laboratory.
Q. What actions can the EHOs take if microbial levels are found
unsatisfactory?
A. Actions are dependant on the levels of micro organisms found in the water sample
obtained. Each microorganism have different level of compliance e.g
Heterotrophic Plate Count should not exceed 100cfu/ml, Thermotolerant coliforms
should be Nil per 100ml and Pseudomonas aeruginosa levels are acceptable at Nil
per 100ml.
EHOs can serve a warning letter where the levels indicate maintenance and
monitoring issues however, they can also serve a closure level if the levels are found
at a considerable level where the use of the pool/spa may become a threat to public
health. The closure order requests decontamination procedures. The EHOs will only
revoke the order when the resampling depicts satisfactory microbial levels.
Q. Is registration for the pools and spas necessary with the Council?
A. You must register the pool/spa situated in a commercial property and or used by
public with the City. If you wish to register your pool/spa click on the link below to
complete the registration form.
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Business/documents/ChangeOfOwnershipForm.
pdf