Public Health – Madison and Dane County licenses and inspects almost 400 indoor and outdoor swimming and whirlpools. These pools are located at hotel/motels, apartments, schools, health clubs and country club facilities.
Public Health Sanitarians conduct monthly visits at pools to check for safety and water quality issues. The water is tested for chlorine or bromine and pH. A sample of pool water is obtained and brought to the Public Health – Madison and Dane County Laboratory. The Laboratory tests the water samples for total bacteria, presence of coliform bacteria and upon request, pseudomonas bacteria. The Public Health Sanitarian also inspects for safety hazards including: loose/broken drain covers, condition of fencing around outdoor pools, loose ladders, foreign objects in pool area, presence of safety equipment, operational emergency phone, posting of emergency numbers, access to first aid equipment, and operational drinking fountains.
Pools are inspected annually to verify all pools meet the code requirements outlined in
Chapter SPS 390 of Design and Construction of Public Swimming Pools and Water Attractions (PDF) and
Chapter DHS 172 of Safety, Maintenance and Operation of Public Swimming Pools (PDF). Some basic code requirements sanitarians inspect for are proper signage of pool rules, capacity, operational recirculation system, accurate daily testing logs, and all other safety and health regulations.
