PRIVATE POOL/SPA USE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
- Pool regulations and codes make sure that treated recreational water facilities (e.g. pools, hot tubs, and water parks) provide a clean, healthy, and safe environment for the public.
- These regulations set minimum standards (such as the amount of chlorine that should be in the pool) to decrease the public’s risk of illness and injury.
- To ensure that regulations are followed, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) regularly inspects treated recreational water venues.
- Private pool owners do not fall under recreational water regulations and are not subject to the requirements and inspections that public aquatic facilities fall under.
- Please be aware of the differences in safety regulations between private and public swimming facilities when using private pools and when considering a private pool.
How private pool/spa owners can make sure their facilities are safe:
- Disinfection (with chlorine or bromine) and pH are the first defense against germs that cause recreational water illnesses.
- At the recommended levels, chlorine or bromine can kill most germs in the water within minutes.
- As a backyard pool owner, you should check the disinfectant (chlorine or bromine) level and pH at least twice per day (and more often when the pool is in heavy use) to make sure they are correct:
- 1–10 parts per million (ppm) free chlorine or 3–8 ppm bromine
- pH 7.2–7.8
- If the pH is too high or too low, it can cause problems, including decreasing chlorine’s or bromine’s ability to kill germs. It can also cause skin and eye irritation in swimmers and damage pool pipes and other equipment.
- Click here for information on how to ensure your backyard pool/spa is safe.
Reach out to MCPH at 970-248-6900 or visit the water quality page of our website if you have questions.