Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) Modules for Review

The information below is intended to help users understand how the MAHC is being organized, reviewed, and finalized including how to provide public comment during the process.

Where Can I Find the Current MAHC Modules Open for Public Comment?

The current status of each module is summarized in the Table on this page. MAHC modules currently open for public comment are highlighted.

What is the MAHC’s Public Comment Process?

The MAHC is being developed as a set of modules on specific topics (see below and the Technical Committee page) with multiple opportunities for review and comment by the public and other stakeholders. Each module is developed by the appropriate Technical Committee, approved by the Steering Committee, and posted for public comment for 60 days. The Steering Committee and appropriate Technical Committee(s) review the comments and revise the modules as needed. Revised interim modules may be posted again prior to posting of a complete code. Once all the MAHC modules are revised after their first 60-day review, the entire MAHC will be posted again for another 60-day public comment period to allow reviewers to review sections across modules and check the entire MAHC for completeness. Finally, once this complete version of the MAHC is finalized and released, it is anticipated that that it will continue to be updated on a periodic and systematic basis to incorporate additional best practices and the latest science.

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What is the Status of Each MAHC Module in Preparation for Posting?

The following Table summarizes the current status of MAHC modules in the creation, review, editing, and clearance process needed before posting for two rounds of public comment. The information in this Table will be updated frequently.

MAHC Module Status and Content in Likely Order of Public Posting
Module	Status for 1st 60-day review	Status of Public Comment and Response Following 1st 60-day review
Preface, User Guide, Definitions	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 10/10/2008. Closed for public comment 12/09/2008 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 Preface, User Guide, Definitions – Draft 10/10/2008 for Public Comment [PDF - 92 kb]	Posted 11/10/2011 after addressing public comments. Not currently open for public comment. 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 Preface, User Guide Code; Not for Public Comment -- Draft 11/10/2011 [PDF - 479 kb] 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 Preface, User Guide Annex; Not for Public Comment – Draft 11/10/2011 [PDF - 373 kb] 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 Preface, User Guide Public Comments and Responses after 1st Public Comment Period; Not for Public Comment – Draft 11/10/2011 [PDF - 291 kb]
Fecal/Vomit/ Blood Contamination Response	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 10/01/2008. Closed for public comment 11/3/2008. 6.5 Fecal/Vomit/Blood Contamination Response Code – Draft 10/01/2008 for Public Comment [PDF - 53 kb] 6.5 Fecal/Vomit/Blood Contamination Response Annex– Draft 10/01/2008 for Public Comment [PDF - 114 kb]	MAHC responding to public comments
Operator Training Module Abstract	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 7/27/2010. Closed for public comment 10/31/2010. 6.1 Operator Training Code and Annex – Draft 7/27/2010 for Public Comment [PDF - 307 kb] 6.1 Operator Training Bibliography – Draft 7/27/2010 for Public Comment [PDF - 51 kb]	Posted 04/08/2011 after addressing public comments. Not currently open for public comment. 6.1 Operator Training Code; Not for Public Comment -- Draft 04/08/2011 [PDF - 145 kb] 6.1 Operator Training Annex; Not for Public Comment – Draft 04/08/2011 [PDF - 94 kb] 6.1 Operator Training Module: Public Comments and Responses after 1st Public Comment Period; Not for Public Comment – Draft 04/08/2011 [PDF - 169 kb]
Ventilation & Air Quality Module Abstract	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 04/13/2011. Closed for public comment 06/12/2011. 4.6.2; 5.6.2 Ventilation Code – Draft 04/13/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 115 kb] 4.6.2; 5.6.2 Ventilation Annex – Draft 04/13/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 296 kb]	MAHC responding to public comments
Risk Management/Safety Module Abstract	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 09/16/2011. Closed for public comment 11/18/2011. 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4; Risk Management/Safety Code – Draft 09/16/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 345 kb] 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4; Risk Management/Safety Annex – Draft 09/16/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 234 kb]	MAHC responding to public comments
Facility Maintenance & Operation Module Abstract	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 10/31/2011. Closed for public comment 12/29/2011. 5.5, 5.6, 5.8, 5.12, 6.4, 6.12; Facility Maintenance and Operation Code – Draft 10/31/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 255 kb] 5.5, 5.6, 5.8, 5.12, 6.4, 6.12; Facility Maintenance and Operation Annex – Draft 10/31/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 357 kb]	N/A
Hygiene Facilities Module Abstract	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 10/31/2011. Closed for public comment 12/29/2011. 4.10, 5.10; Hygiene Facilities Code – Draft 10/31/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 141 kb] 4.10, 5.10; Hygiene Facilities Annex – Draft 10/31/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 167 kb]	N/A
Regulatory Program Administration Module Abstract	Posted for 1st 60-day public comment period on 12/07/2011. Closed for public comment 02/05/2012. 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7; Regulatory Program Administration Code – Draft 12/07/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 371 kb] 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7; Regulatory Program Administration Annex – Draft 12/07/2011 for Public Comment [PDF - 1.8 mb]	N/A
Disinfection & Water Quality	Final Technical Committee changes being made prior to Steering Committee final approval.	N/A
Contamination Burden	Approved by Steering Committee - Waiting for final Steering Committee editing.	N/A
Facility Design & Construction	Two Steering Committee reviews completed. Pending Technical Committee completion prior to Steering Committee final approval.	N/A
Lifeguarding/ Bather Supervision	Three partial reviews by Steering Committee completed. Pending Technical Committee completion prior to Steering Committee final approval.	N/A
Recirculation Systems & Filtration	Third review by Steering Committee completed and sent to Technical Committee.	N/A
Monitoring & Testing	Two partial reviews by Steering Committee completed. Pending Technical Committee completion prior to Steering Committee final approval.	N/A

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How Are MAHC Modules Being Finalized?

Technical Committees are responsible for the technical content of MAHC Modules. As they create the module they send it periodically to the Steering Committee for input to ensure that the content and format integrates with the work being done by other committees and addresses the overall MAHC goals. This process involves many drafts of the modules before completion. Once the Technical Committee finishes the module and the Steering Committee approves the product, it is passed to the MAHC Editor. The module is then moved into final formatting. Additional annex information may be added by staff if further clarification is needed on the intent or direction of the MAHC and its associated language. Following completion of this process, the module is put through internal CDC clearance. Upon completion of CDC clearance, the module can then be posted on the MAHC section of CDC’s Healthy Swimming website for review.

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How Do I Submit Public Comments?

Are you an environmental or other public health professional, scientist specializing in waterborne disease prevention, aquatics facility designer or operator, or other professional or a member of the general public interested in protecting and advancing public health at aquatic venues? If so, you are invited to review draft MAHC modules and submit comments. To provide comments, download and fill out the comment form [Word - 56 kb] by typing your comments into the form and saving it. Only comments sent in this form will be accepted. Send the form by the submission deadline:

By email as an email attachment to MAHC@cdc.gov or
By mail (postmarked by the submission deadline) to:
MAHC Coordinator
Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop F-22
4770 Buford Highway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30341

NOTE 1: If part of a larger group or organization, please consolidate comments to speed the MAHC response time to public comments.

NOTE 2: As part of the MAHC public comment process, all comments as well as reviewer names, location, and affiliations are public information and will be included in the public comment response document to be posted to the MAHC section of the Healthy Swimming website.

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How is the MAHC Organized?

This draft outline or "strawman" provides a framework for discussing the MAHC content and help users identify where various modules fit within the overall code. The "strawman" delineates cross-cutting issues requiring collaboration and deliberation by multiple Technical Committees. As with any "strawman," the numbering format, organization, and structure are subject to change as the MAHC progresses.

MAHC Strawman Outline [PDF - 91 kb]

The MAHC modules are organized in a series of columns (see figure below). The left-most column has a short keyword summary describing the information contained in the corresponding code language. Items deemed most critical to protecting public health are indicated in red font with an asterisk. The middle two columns show the section number and draft code language, and the far right column has a letter grade based on the perceived reliability and accuracy of the material presented. The grading system is divided into three levels:

Grade A: Practice supported by science/research/data.
Grade B: Widely accepted practice not supported by science/research/data.
Grade C: No widely accepted practice. Proposed language not yet supported by science/research/data.