Beaches, splash pads, pools and spas
Beaches, pools, spas, and splash pads are popular in the summer, however, safety and inspections are crucial to ensuring all bathers remain safe while using these public facilities.
Water-related illnesses can be passed easily through contaminated recreational water, so public health inspectors work closely with pool and spa operators.
Whether beaches and recreational facilities are used for sport, leisure, or to beat the summer heat, almost everyone enjoys swimming. Public beaches, pools, public spas (hot tubs), and splash pads can serve a large number of people and can also present a health concern if not properly maintained and monitored. Public Health Sudbury & Districts works to prevent and reduce water-borne illness and injury related to recreational water use.
Our online disclosure site, Check Before You Go! has inspection and enforcement-related activities for beaches, splash pads, public pools, and spas.
Public pools and spas
What are public pools and spas?
There are two classes of public pools and spas:
- Class A pools are those where the general public is admitted and are located in educational, instructional, physical fitness or athletic institutions or associations. They are supported in whole or in part by public funds or public subscription. Class A pools also include those located in recreational camps for use by campers, their visitors and camp personnel.
- Class B pools are:
- on the premises of an apartment building, condominium, co-operative or community property that contains more than five units and are for residents and their visitors
- operated as a facility to serve a community of more than five single-family private residences
- operated at a hotel
- operated on a campground
- operated in conjunction with a club for the use of its members and their visitors
- operated in conjunction with a child care centre, a day camp or an establishment for the care or treatment of persons who have special needs
Does Public Health Sudbury & Districts inspect public pools and spas?
Yes. Public health inspectors inspect all Class A and B public pools and spas to ensure they meet legal requirements. Due to the fact that water-related illnesses can be passed easily through contaminated recreational water, public health inspectors work closely with pool and spa operators to ensure these recreational water facilities are properly run and maintained.
For inspection and enforcement information, visit Check Before You Go! or contact a public health inspector by calling 705.522.9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
How often are public pools and spas inspected?
The Ministry of Health sets out the minimal frequency of compliance inspections. The frequency of inspections is as follows:
- at least four times per year if they operate year-round
- at least two times per year if they operate seasonally
- as needed when public health inspectors follow up on non-compliance issues, complaints, reports of illnesses or injuries and to monitor the safety of the facility
Inspections include observations to determine compliance with the regulations, testing water quality and collecting water samples.
Splash pads
What is a public splash pad?
A public splash pad or spray pad is a water play area that has interactive fountains or equipment and has no standing water.
Does Public Health Sudbury & Districts inspect splash pads?
Yes. The Ministry of Health sets out the minimal frequency of compliance inspections. The frequency of inspections is as follows:
- at least once per year and no less than once every three months while operating
- as needed when public health inspectors follow up on non-compliance issues, complaints, reports of illnesses or injuries and to monitor the safety of the facility
Inspections include observing to determine facility and water safety, testing water quality parameters and collecting water samples.
Public beaches
Swimming at the beach is an enjoyable summer activity. A public beach is defined as a beach area owned/operated by a municipality that the general public has access to, and where there is reason to believe that there is recreational use of the water which may result in waterborne illness or injury as determined by the local medical officer of health.
How often are public beaches inspected?
Public beaches undergo a pre-season assessment annually which includes:
- an environmental survey
- a review of historical and epidemiological data
- determining the suitability of the site for public recreational use
- identifying possible contaminant sources
- collaborating with local stakeholders, municipalities and other surrounding landowners to reduce or eliminate any potential impact on the safety of the water for public recreational use
- collecting water samples to assess water quality before the start of the season
Once the pre-season assessment is completed, routine beach surveillance of all public beaches takes place for the duration of the season which lasts from June to August. Beaches are sampled on a monthly or weekly basis. Beaches that have had consistent satisfactory water samples in the previous five bathing seasons have a reduced sampling frequency of once per month. The purpose of the sampling and inspection program is to monitor the safety of the public beach front and the water. When a beach is sampled, five water samples are taken and submitted to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing of E. coli levels.
It is important to know that the water quality can change with the weather and other factors. Public Health Sudbury & Districts posts public beaches when the water quality may pose a risk to bathers. See Beach Water Quality to learn more about what affects water quality, when notice and warning signs are posted, or when beaches are closed.
For more information on these topics or to file a complaint, contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 464. You can also submit your question or complaint electronically.
This item was last modified on January 8, 2020