New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATION 2012 - SCHEDULE 1

SCHEDULE 1 – Requirements for public swimming pools and spa pools

(Clause 15)

1 Definitions

In this Schedule--

"bromine disinfected pool" means a public swimming pool or spa pool that is disinfected with bromine.

"chlorine disinfected pool" means a public swimming pool or spa pool that is disinfected with chlorine.

"combined chlorine" means chloramines.

"free available chlorine" means chlorine that is not combined with any other chemical compound.

"oxidation reduction potential system" (or
"ORP system" ), in relation to a bromine or chlorine disinfected pool, means an electronic system that monitors and controls water quality by measuring the oxidation reduction potential in the water.

"total chlorine level" of the water in a chlorine disinfected pool means the total of the concentration of free available chlorine and combined chlorine.

2 Temperature

The temperature of the water must not exceed 38 degrees Celsius.

3 Disinfection

(1) A pool must be fitted with an automated or a continuous metered disinfectant dosing system.

(2) A pool must be disinfected with chlorine or bromine.

4 Chlorine disinfected pools

(1) This clause does not apply to a chlorine disinfected pool that is equipped with an ORP system.

(2) Except as provided by subclause (3), the concentration of free available chlorine in the water in a chlorine disinfected pool must be equal to or greater than the following--

(a) for an outdoor public swimming pool--1.0 mg/L,

(b) for an outdoor public swimming pool in which cyanuric acid is used--3.0 mg/L,

(c) for an indoor swimming pool--2.0 mg/L,

(d) for a spa pool--2.0 mg/L.

(3) The concentration of free available chlorine in the water in a chlorine disinfected pool in which the water has a pH level greater than 7.6 must be equal to or greater than the following--

(a) for an outdoor public swimming pool--2.0 mg/L,

(b) for an outdoor public swimming pool in which cyanuric acid is used--4.0 mg/L,

(c) for an indoor swimming pool--3.0 mg/L,

(d) for a spa pool--3.0 mg/L.

(4) The concentration of combined chlorine in the water in a chlorine disinfected pool must not exceed 1.0 mg/L.

(5) The total chlorine level of the water in a chlorine disinfected pool must not exceed 10.0 mg/L.

5 Bromine disinfected pools

(1) This clause does not apply to a bromine disinfected pool that is equipped with an ORP system.

(2) The concentration of bromine in the water in a bromine disinfected pool must be equal to or greater than the following--

(a) for an outdoor public swimming pool--2.25 mg/L,

(b) for an indoor swimming pool--4.5 mg/L,

(c) for a spa pool--4.5 mg/L.

(3) The concentration of bromine in the water in a bromine disinfected pool must not exceed 9.0 mg/L.

6 Chlorine and bromine disinfected pools with ORP systems

(1) In a chlorine disinfected pool in which an ORP system is used, the oxidation reduction potential of the water must be at least 720 mV.

(2) In a bromine disinfected pool in which an ORP system is used, the oxidation reduction potential of the water must be at least 700 mV.

7 Levels of pH

The pH level of the water must be--

(a) in the case of a chlorine disinfected pool--between 7.0 and 7.8, and

(b) in the case of a bromine disinfected pool--between 7.0 and 8.0.

8 Testing of disinfectants and pH levels

(1) The disinfectant level and the pH level of the water in a bromine or chlorine disinfected pool with a continuous metered disinfectant dosing system must be tested manually once each day before the pool opens for use.

(2) The disinfectant level and the pH level of the water in a bromine or chlorine disinfected pool with an automated disinfectant dosing system must--

(a) be recorded each day once before the pool opens for use by the public and once during the period in which the pool is being used, and

(b) be tested manually once each day.

(3) The disinfectant level and the pH level of the water in a pool must be tested more frequently than provided for by subclauses (1) and (2) if the occupier of the premises at which the pool is situated considers it necessary, taking into account the number of people swimming in the pool at a particular time, the hours of operation of the pool, the depth of the pool and the effect of sunlight on disinfectant levels.

(4) In this clause,
"disinfectant level" means--

(a) in the case of a bromine disinfected pool--the concentration of bromine in the water, and

(b) in the case of a chlorine disinfected pool--the concentration of free available chlorine and the total chlorine level of the water.

9 Alkalinity

(1) The alkalinity of the water must be between 80 mg/L and 200 mg/L.

(2) The alkalinity of the water must be tested once a day.

(3) However, if liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) is used as a disinfectant in the pool or a carbon dioxide-based pH control is used, the alkalinity must be tested once a month only.

10 Ozone

(1) Ozone may be used in the circulation system of a pool but must not be present in the pool.

(2) If ozone is used in the circulation system of the pool, the pool must be tested once a week for the presence of ozone.

11 Cyanuric acid--outdoor chlorine disinfected pools

(1) Cyanuric acid may only be used in an outdoor chlorine disinfected pool and must not be used in a spa pool.

(2) If cyanuric acid is used, the concentration of cyanuric acid in the water must be tested once a week and must not exceed 50 mg/L.

12 Records

A record must be made, and kept for at least 6 months, of the results of any testing required under this Schedule.