Safe Water Program

About the Recreational Water Program

Public Health Inspectors inspect public pools, spas, wading pools, spray/splash pads and receiving basins (Class C facilities) to reduce the possibility of injuries and waterborne illness related to recreational water facilities. Compliance inspections of recreational water facilities are carried out in accordance with the Ontario Public Pools Regulation 565/90.

The Ontario Public Pools Regulation 565/90 (external link) applies to the following public recreational water facilities:

1. Class A and Class B public pools
2. Public spas
3. Class C facilities (public wading pools, public splash pads/spray pads, and water slide receiving basins).

Safe water information and resources

• General Public Information
• Public Pool Operators
• Public Spa Operators
• Class C Facility Operator

General Public Information

Resources

• Lifesaving Society - Private Pool Safety Standard (PDF file)
• Halton’s Safe & Healthy Swimming Pamphlet (PDF file)
• Canadian Red Cross-Ontario (external link)
• CDC - Healthy Swimming/Recreational Water (external link)
• Lifesaving Society (external link)

Public Pool Operators

Public Pool Water Chemistry Requirements

Total Alkalinity	80 – 120 ppm
pH	7.2 - 7.8
Chlorine residual (for chlorinated systems)	Indoor pools and Unstabilized outdoor pools	0.5 – 10 ppm
	Stabilized outdoor pools	1 – 10 ppm
Bromine residual (for bromine systems)	Non-wave action pools	Not less than 2 mg/L
	Wave action pools	Not less than 3 mg/L
Cyanuric acid Note: Not to be used for indoor pools or pools totally or partially covered by roof.	Not greater than 60 mg/L
Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)	600 mV – 900 mV

 

Resources

• Recreation Water Facility Opening notification form (PDF file)
• Pool Owner & Operator Information Package (PDF file)
• Admission Standards Factsheet
• Ontario Regulation 565 Public Pools

Public Spa Operators

Public Spa Water Chemistry Requirements

Total alkalinity	80 – 120 ppm
pH	7.2 - 7.8
Chlorine residual (for chlorinated systems)	5 - 10 mg/L
Bromine residual (for bromine systems)	5 - 10 mg/L
Oxidation Reduction Potential (for systems using an automatic sensing device)	600 mV – 900 mV

Resources

• Recreation Water Facility Opening notification form (PDF file)
• Ontario Public Pools Regulation 565/90

Class C Facility Operator

Wading Pool, Spray/Spash Pad and Receiving Basin Water Chemistry Requirements

Total alkalinity	80 – 120 ppm
pH	7.2 - 7.8
Chlorine residual (for chlorinated systems)	5 - 10 mg/L
Bromine residual (for bromine systems)	5 - 10 mg/L
Cyanuric acid	Not greater than 60 mg/L
Oxidation Reduction Potential (for systems using an automatic sensing device)	600 mV – 900 mV

Resources

• Ontario Regulation 565 Public Pools