Recreational Water

Regulated recreational water facilities include public pools and public spas.

A public pool means a structure, basin, chamber or tank containing, or intended to contain, an artificial body of water for swimming, water sport, water recreation or entertainment.

It does not include:

• a pool that is located on a private residential property that is available to the public for use with or without charging an access fee (for example a backyard pool)
• pools that are used solely for commercial display and demonstration purposes
• rowing club pools where the pool water is used for rowing purposes only

A class “A” pool is:

• one in which the general public is admitted
• operated in conjunction with, or as a part of an educational, instructional, physical fitness or athletic institutions, or associations supported in whole or in part by public funds or public subscription
• operated on the premises of a recreational camp, for use by campers and their visitors, and camp personnel

A class “B” pool is:

• operated on the premises of an apartment building that contains more than five dwelling units or suites, or a mobile home, for the use of the occupants and their visitors
• operated as a facility to serve a community of more than five single-family private residences, for the use of the residents and their visitors
• operated on the premises of a hotel, for the use of its guests and their visitors
• operated on the premises of a campground, for the use of its tenants and their visitors
• operated in conjunction with a club, for the use of its members and their visitors, or a condominium, co-operative or commune property that contains more than five dwelling units or suites, for the use of the owners or members and their visitors
• operated in conjunction with a child care centre, day camp, or an establishment for the care or treatment of persons who have special needs, for the use of such persons and their visitors
• one other than a Class A pool, that is not exempt from the provisions of the Public Pools Regulation

Modified pool

A modified pool is a public pool that has a basin-shaped floor sloping downward and inward toward the interior from the rim.

Public cold plunge pool

A public cold plunge pool is a public pool that is maintained at a temperature of 15°C (59°F) or less, with or without hydro jets, that is not drained, cleaned, sanitized, and refilled before use by each individual.

Public floatation pool

This is a public pool that contains a saturated bathing solution of magnesium sulphate for floatation purposes, is not drained, cleaned, sanitized, and refilled before use by each individual, and is designed for multiple persons.

Wave action pool

A wave action means a public pool that is provided with a means for inducing wave motion in the water.

Public spa

A public spa means a hydro-massage pool containing an artificial body of water that is intended primarily for therapeutic or recreational use, that is not drained, cleaned, or refilled before use by each individual and that utilizes hydro jet circulation, air induction bubbles, current flow, or a combination of them over the majority of the pool area. It does not include private home spas or spas operated in conjunction with an individual dwelling unit or suite of a hotel for the use of its occupants.

Public pools and spas are inspected:

• Once prior to opening or reopening after construction, alteration, or closure of more than four weeks duration.
• Once every three months for those facilities that operate year-round.
• Two times a year for those facilities that are open only part of the year and at least once for those facilities that are open for a short period of time (for example, less than 4 weeks).

Public health inspectors conduct additional inspections for many reasons

• To follow-up on an any problems that were found during a routine inspection.
• To investigate complaints and/or reports of illness, injury, or death.
• To monitor the safety of the facilities which may include the taking of follow-up water samples.

Public health inspectors closely work with owners and operators to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements. When this is not possible or when there is an imminent risk to public health, public health inspectors will issue orders under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) to address these issues.

Criteria for closing a public pool or spa

A public pool or spa is subject to immediate closure by a public health inspector when any of the following conditions are observed:

• the pool or spa is not made inaccessible when closed
• water clarity is poor, or the black disc is not available or visible (pools only)
• fouling of the water (for example, the presence or feces, vomit, or blood)
• the filtration or circulation system is not operating properly or is malfunctioning
• the drain cover or fittings are missing, loose, or not in good repair
• safety equipment is missing, malfunctioning, or not in good repair
• disinfectant is not detected or is at levels that are too low or too high and may adversely affect the bather
• qualified lifeguard is not available where applicable
• emergency stop button does not deactivate all pumps when activated (spa only)
• vacuum relief mechanism is inoperable (spa only)

File a report with us online or contact us if you:

• See unsafe or questionable practices at a public pool or spa.
• Think you became infected after visiting a public pool or spa.
• Became injured after visiting a public pool or spa.