DHS 172.14(4)(e)
(e)
Combined chlorine. When combined chlorine exceeds 0.5 ppm in an outdoor pool or 0.8 ppm in an indoor pool, the water shall be treated to breakpoint chlorination using a chlorine product or a nonchlorinated oxidizer such as potassium peroxymonosulfate. Isocyanurates may not be used to reach breakpoint chlorination. The pool shall be closed to the public during periods of breakpoint chlorination when a chlorine product is used.
DHS 172.14(4)(f)
(f)
Maximum chlorine residual. The maximum chlorine residual in any pool shall not exceed 10 ppm.
DHS 172.14(5)(a)(a) When oxidation potential controllers are used the water potential shall be kept between 650-850 mV. When the water potential reads below 650 mV or above 850 mV the operator shall manually test the pool water with an approved test kit.
DHS 172.14(5)(b)
(b) When a waterslide plunge pool or a wave pool is equipped with approved and properly functioning electronic monitoring devices to control the chlorine residual and pH level, the free available chlorine residual may be a minimum of 1.0 ppm.
DHS 172.14 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. Table
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.
DHS 172.15
DHS 172.15 Alternative disinfection systems. Any one of the following supplemental systems may be added to a pool if an automated disinfection system is in place and on line to maintain the disinfectant residuals under Table DHS 172.14:
DHS 172.15(1)
(1) Chlorine generators. Chlorine generators shall be NSF approved and installed according to NSF and manufacturer instructions. An additional disinfection system shall remain on line to provide the capacity to superchlorinate the water and maintain the required sanitizer residual.
DHS 172.15(2)(a)(a) Ozone generators shall provide a concentration of ozone in the return line to the pool not to exceed 0.1 mg/L.
DHS 172.15(2)(b)
(b) The generator shall be electrically interlocked with the recirculation pump to prevent the feeding of ozone when the recirculation pump is not operating. A flow sensor controller may also be used to turn off the feeder when flow is interrupted.
DHS 172.15(2)(c)
(c) Off-gassing of ozone shall not result in ozone levels in the equipment room or pool area exceeding 0.1 ppm.
DHS 172.15(3)
(3) Ultra violet light. Ultraviolet light units shall be NSF tested and approved for use in water disinfection systems and installed pursuant to NSF requirements.
DHS 172.15 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. (1)
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.
DHS 172.16(1)(1)
General requirement. Pool water shall be free of chemical, physical and microbial substances known to be, or suspected of being, capable of creating toxic reactions or skin or membrane irritations.
DHS 172.16(2)
(2) Water clarity. Water containing 0.5 or less Nephelometric Turbidity Units is considered clear. The main drain shall be readily visible from the pool deck.
DHS 172.16 Note
Note: Water containing 0.5 or less Nephelometric Turbidity Units is considered clear.
DHS 172.16(3)(a)(a)
Sample collection and analysis. The department or its agent may collect samples of pool water for microbiological analysis in evaluating water quality. The analysis of water samples shall be performed by a laboratory accredited by the Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection, and comply with the procedures established in the 21st edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published jointly by the American Public Health Association, the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation. These monitoring activities may be supplemented with additional microbiological analysis, which shall be performed by an accredited laboratory certified in those methods.
DHS 172.16 Note
Note: Primary protection from the risk of microbiological disease acquired from pools is achieved through monitoring and maintaining pH levels and disinfection residuals in the recommended ranges. A list of accredited laboratories may be obtained by calling the Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection at 608-224-4712 or by email at
www.datcp.state.wi.us. The 21st edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater may be consulted at the offices of the legislative reference bureau at
http://www.legis.wi.gov/lrb and may be purchased from the American Public Health Association, 800 I Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001-3710.
DHS 172.16(3)(b)
(b)
Bacteriological standards. Water quality should be maintained to meet the following standards:
DHS 172.16(3)(b)1.
1. When bacteriological analysis of total coliforms is performed, no coliforms are present in a 100 mL sample.
DHS 172.16(3)(b)2.
2. When bacteriological analysis is performed for the heterotrophic plate count, the total count may not exceed 200 colonies in a 1 mL sample.
DHS 172.16(3)(b)3.
3. When bacteriological analysis is performed for staphylococci, the count may not exceed 50 organisms in a 100 mL sample.
DHS 172.16(4)
(4) Algae control. An algaecide may be used in a pool if the algaecide complies with
s. DHS 172.14 (2) and is used according to the manufacturer's directions for potable water.
DHS 172.16 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.17(1)(1) A test kit of a type approved by the department shall be maintained for testing the pool water pH; the disinfectant residual; the combined chlorine level, when chlorine is used; the total alkalinity; and the cyanuric acid concentration, when used.
DHS 172.17(2)
(2) Test kit reagents shall be stored in the original labeled container and shall be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer.
DHS 172.17(3)
(3) The disinfectant testing reagent shall be diethyl–p–
phenylene diamine (DPD) in powder or liquid form. A test kit using the titrimetric method (FAS-DPD) for chlorine and bromine testing and colorimetric comparators used for additional water testing shall be approved by the department and shall provide for accurate comparison in the required range for each test as stated in
s. DHS 172.14 (4). The test equipment shall provide for direct measurement of free and combined chlorine from 0 to 10 ppm in increments of 0.2 ppm. If bromine is used, the testing equipment shall provide for direct measurement of total bromine from 0 to 20 ppm in increments of 0.5 ppm.
DHS 172.17 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. (3)
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.
DHS 172.18(1)(1) Except as provided under
sub. (2) or
(3), water shall be tested for pH and disinfectant residual daily before the pool is open to the public or before the pool is in use, and at least one other time during the day's peak patron load. When chlorine is used, the water shall also be tested at least twice a week for the combined chlorine level. Water shall also be tested at least once a week for total alkalinity. When cyanuric acid is used in the water basin, the cyanuric acid concentration in the water shall be tested at least once a week.
DHS 172.18(2)
(2) Except as specified under
sub. (3) water in a whirlpool, therapy pool, or exercise pool shall be tested for pH and disinfectant residual before the pool is open to the public or before the pool is in use and at least 4 times daily. For at least 2 of these times, the testing shall be done when the pool is in use. Water shall be tested at least once daily for combined chlorine, when chlorine is used, and at least weekly for total alkalinity.
DHS 172.18(3)
(3) Water in a pool that has a properly functioning electronic monitoring device installed to control pH and disinfectant residual shall be manually tested at least once a day for pH and disinfectant residual with an approved test kit as specified in
s. DHS 172.17. The operator shall continually monitor the device to determine if it meets operating criteria specified in
s. DHS 172.14 (5).
DHS 172.18 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.19
DHS 172.19 Water supply and temperature. DHS 172.19(1)(1)
Water supply protection. A minimum air–gap of 2 pipe diameters or 6 inches, whichever is less, shall exist between the potable water supply inlet and the overflow point of any pool, makeup tank, surge tank, solution tank, or slurry tank unless another department-approved backflow and backsiphonage prevention device is provided.
DHS 172.19(2)
(2) Water source. The water supplied to a pool shall be from a source approved by the department of natural resources under
ch. NR 108,
811 or
812.
DHS 172.19(3)
(3) Water level. Proper water level shall be maintained at all times when the pool is open. Water levels in pools with skimmers shall be maintained at a level such that the weir is half submerged. Pools designed with gutters shall have a continuous water supply over the gutter to provide effective skimming
DHS 172.19(4)(a)(a) An accurate thermometer shall be located in the pool water return line and shall be accessible for observation by the operator.
DHS 172.19(4)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
par. (d), the water temperature of an indoor pool shall be between 72°F. (22°C.) and 95°F. (35°C.). The minimum water temperature for an outdoor pool shall be 65°F. (18°C.).
DHS 172.19(4)(c)
(c) The water temperature in whirlpools may not exceed 104°F. (40°C.)
DHS 172.19(4)(d)
(d) Cold soak pools may be operated at a lower temperature than specified under
par. (b). The pool shall post the water temperature on signage as required under
s. DHS 172.29 (5).
DHS 172.19 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. (4) (b)
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.
DHS 172.20(1)(a)(a)
General requirement. Each pool shall be under the supervision of at least one operator, except that contiguous multiple pools operated under the same owner may be supervised by one operator.
DHS 172.20(1)(b)
(b)
Operator responsibilities. Each operator shall be responsible for pool operation and maintenance including equipment shutdown, backwashing, daily maintenance and vacuuming, and maintenance of water quality pursuant to
s. DHS 172.11.
DHS 172.20(2)(a)1.1. Each water attraction and water attraction complex shall be staffed by at least one certified water attraction operator by January 1, 2009. An owner of a water attraction or water attraction complex that first applies for a permit under
s. DHS 172.05 after January 1, 2009 shall be staffed by a certified water attraction operator within 90 days after receiving a permit to operate the water attraction or water attraction complex.
DHS 172.20(2)(a)2.
2. The owner of a water attraction or water attraction complex shall replace a certified water attraction operator within 90 days after a certified operator's departure.
DHS 172.20(2)(b)
(b)
Documentation of certification. Current certifications of certified water attraction operator staff shall be maintained at the water attraction and water attraction complex.
DHS 172.20 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.21(1)(1) Each pool shall be under the supervision of at least one responsible supervisor at all times when the pool is in use or is open to the public. The responsible supervisor shall be on the premises or available via a phone number posted by the emergency phone to respond to an unsafe or unsanitary condition at any time the pool is open for use. The responsible supervisor shall maintain order, ensure that safety equipment is in place, and enforce pool use regulations governing safety, sanitation and water testing.
DHS 172.21(2)
(2) The responsible supervisor shall have the authority to close the pool as necessary under
s. DHS 172.30.
DHS 172.21 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.22(1)(a)(a) The owner or operator of a pool, including a whirlpool over 4 feet deep and a pool with a visual obstruction, and the owner or operator of a water attraction or water attraction complex shall submit a written, proposed lifeguard and attendant staffing plan to the department or the department's agent for approval. The owner or operator shall keep a copy of the plan at the pool. The plan shall include all of the following:
DHS 172.22(1)(a)1.
1. The square footage of the pool, water attraction, and water attraction complex as applicable.
DHS 172.22(1)(a)6.
6. A diagram of the facility that indicates the placement of attendants, lifeguards, chairs and stations for both average and maximum patron capacity. The diagram shall include each obstruction.
DHS 172.22(1)(a)7.
7. A method of communication when 2 or more attendants or lifeguards are required for a water attraction.
DHS 172.22(1)(c)
(c) A pool that is not required under
s. DHS 172.23 to have a lifeguard shall post a sign that states, in letters that are a minimum of 4 inches high, "No Lifeguard on Duty".
DHS 172.22(1)(d)
(d) A plan required under
par. (a) for a whirlpool that is located in a water attraction complex shall specify that at least one attendant shall provide periodic supervision. If a whirlpool is not supervised by an attendant at all times, a sign shall be posted that states in letters at least 4 inches high: "Non-guarded area."
DHS 172.22 Note
Note: To submit a lifeguard and attendant staffing plan to the department or to determine which agent to submit a lifeguard and attendant staffing plan to, write or phone: Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2659 (608-266-2835).
DHS 172.22(2)(a)(a) A copy of each lifeguarding certification, first aid certification, and CPR certification held by lifeguard staff shall be maintained at the pool and shall be made available for inspection by the department.
DHS 172.22(2)(b)
(b) At least one of the lifeguards required under
s. DHS 172.23 (1) to supervise a water attraction that has a surface area of 2,000 square feet or more and a water depth greater than 4 feet shall have one or more of the following additional certifications:
DHS 172.22(2)(b)3.
3. National Pool and Water park International Lifeguard Training Program certificate.
DHS 172.22(2)(c)
(c) Attendants may staff water attractions, waterslides, or pool slides to assist patrons. Attendants may not be used in place of lifeguards.
DHS 172.22(3)(a)(a) At all times when on duty a lifeguard shall wear clothing that is conspicuously marked "Lifeguard" or "Guard", a rescue tube with a harness as instructed in national certification courses, and a whistle.
DHS 172.22(3)(b)
(b) A lifeguard who is assigned to supervise a pool or water attraction may not be assigned duties that may distract the lifeguard's attention from observing a patron in the pool or water attraction area or that may hinder the lifeguard's ability to provide immediate assistance to a patron.
DHS 172.22 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. (2) (b) 1. and 3.
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.
DHS 172.23
DHS 172.23 Lifeguard and attendant placement and staffing requirements.
