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