Recreational Waters: Swimming Pools

Training Overview

  • Audience: Public health professionals charged with enforcement of swimming pool-related laws and regulations in Massachusetts and anyone interested in learning more about these laws and regulations
  • Format: Online, self-paced
  • Price: Free
  • Length: 1 hour
  • Contact hours: Massachusetts CHO, RN, RS
  • Competencies: Recreational Waters
  • Learning level: Awareness
  • Prerequisites:None
  • Companion training: Recreational Waters: Bathing Beach Programs
    A Certified Pool Operator’s course (recommended)
  • Supplemental materials:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), swimming is an excellent way to get the physical activity and health benefits needed for a healthy life. However, swimming is not risk-free. Swimmers can be injured or exposed to recreational water-associated illnesses. Through a coordinated effort, state and local public health agencies established a framework for swimming pool protection programs. These programs strive to ensure that swimming pools are operated in a safe and healthy manner. Local boards of health (LBOH) should identify all non-residential swimming, wading, and special purpose pools (pools) in their community, and work in partnership with pool operators and other governmental agencies to ensure pools are constructed, operated, and maintained in a safe and healthy manner in compliance with all applicable regulations.

This training will provide information for the local public health inspector responsible for the inspection of their community’s public, semi-public, and special purpose pools. It is intended to describe the need for inspection of pools and review the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) regulations, 105 CMR 435.00: Minimum Sanitation for Swimming Pools (State Sanitary Code, Chapter V). Questions regarding interpretation or enforcement of the regulations should be directed to the Community Sanitation Program at the Department of Public Health.

NOTE: This module is NOT equivalent to nor a replacement for an authorized Certified Pool Operator’s course.

Enroll To receive a certificate of completion. This requires registration to establish a learner profile and completion of pre- and post-tests
Course Table The Audit function is no longer available. However, all job aids are still available for viewing via the course table.

What you’ll learn

After completing this training, you will be able to:

  • Describe three sources of contamination that may be present in pools
  • Interpret sections of 105 CMR 435.00: Minimum Standards for Swimming Pools (435)
  • Summarize four LBOH functions to ensure pools comply with 435
  • Give two examples of LBOH activities that promote the health and safety of swimmers and pool staff

Subject Matter Experts


  • Paul Halfmann
    CSP Assistant Director
    Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)(retired)

  • Steven Hughes
    Community Sanitation Program (CSP) Director
    Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)

  • Nicholas Gale
    Environmental Health Inspector, CSP Pool Compliance Coordinator
    Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)

Disclaimer

This training was supported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) with funds made available by the Grant Number CFDA #93.069 and #93.889, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP20150 “Public Health Training Center”. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.