Aquatics Professionals Toolkit

At a glance

Pool regulations and codes are developed by government agencies to make sure that treated recreational water facilities 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.

Man cleaning bottom of an empty pool with a bucket and mop.

Purpose

The following pages provide CDC recommendations for aquatics staff to use when operating and maintaining public aquatic facilities.

Operators should follow all applicable local, state, tribal, or territorial pool codes. They can also consult CDC's Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), which is guidance based on the latest science and best practices to help ensure healthy and safe experiences in public aquatic venues.

What's included

Close up of a pool lane at an indoor pool.

Chloramines and Pool Operation

What pool operators can do to reduce chemicals in the air at pools.
Pool chemicals next to a pool.

Pool Chemical Safety

Follow these recommendations to prevent pool chemical injuries.
Caution tape in front of a pool.

Pool Chemical Emergencies

Create an emergency response plan for before, during and after a pool chemical emergency.
Close up of a person's hands holding a chlorine testing device in front of water.

Operating and Managing Public Pools, Hot Tubs and Splash Pads

How aquatics professionals can operate and manage pools, hot tubs and splash pads to prevent germs
Artifical swimming lagoon

Artificial Swimming Lagoons Guidance

Read CDC's health and safety recommendations for artificial swimming lagoons. 
A close up picture of the legs of a person surfing with water spray behind their surfboard.

Surf Venue Guidance

Guidance for surf venues that addresses health and safety issues 
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID); National Center for Environmental Health