Learn about Halton's inspections of recreational water facilities, such as public pools, spas, wading pools, splash pads, floatation tanks, and cold plunges.
If you plan on opening a pool, spa or other type of recreational water facility, you must notify the Halton Region Public Health by completing the online notification form.
Public Health Inspectors inspect public pools, including hot water, cold plunge, floatation pools, spas, wading pools, spray/splash pads, floatation tanks, and receiving basins 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:
Are you a homeowner interested in renting your backyard pool/spa (hot tub)?
Swimming pools and spas can expose bathers to potential health and safety risks, such as communicable diseases, injury or even death if appropriate measures are not in place. For more information please see the Government of Ontario Safe Water webpage (external link).
Residential pools and spas that are being made available to the public for use with or without charging an access fee are subject to caution notice displayed in a conspicuous place as set out in Ontario Regulation 565: Public Pools (external link) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, 1990 (external link).
Local Municipal zoning by-laws may not permit the commercial use of a backyard pool. Please contact your Local Municipality to learn if you can rent your residential pool to the public.
If you receive permission from your Local Municipality to rent your backyard pool or spa to the public, you must post a caution notice in a conspicuous place within the pool/spa enclosure as prescribed by Section 4.1 of Ontario Regulation 565: Public Pools (external link).
For more information, contact your Local Municipality, email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311 to speak to a public health inspector.
Hot water pools
Cold plunge pools
Floatation pools
Non-wave action pools