Taking a Dive into Colorado's Swimming Pool and Mineral Bath Regulations - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Taking a Dive into Colorado's Swimming Pool and Mineral Bath Regulations Is it Time For a Change?

2. Today’s TopicsOverview of Current Laws, Regulations and Resource Limitations Jeff Lawrence, CDPHEPublic Health Benefits and Value of Strong Aquatic Facilities Regulatory System; A Case History Tom Gonzales, El Paso County Public HealthAquatics Industry Perspective on the Case for New RegulationsAdam Richardson, Colorado Pool SystemsAlignment of the Current CO Regulations with the Model Aquatic Health Code Craig Sanders, Jefferson County Public HealthSteve Chevalier, Tri County Health DepartmentNext Steps/Q&A

3. Polling question #1What segment of the Aquatics Industry do you represent? Aquatics Professional AssociationAquatics Builder/Designer/ConsultantManufacturer/Distributor/RetailEducational InstitutionProperty Management/Service CompanyHealth/MedicalLodging/Commercial/Recreational FacilityState/Local GovernmentOther

4. Overview of Current Laws, Regulations and Resource Limitations Jeff Lawrence, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

5. Overview of Current Laws and Regulations 25-5-801 - “Swimming Areas”Part 8 of the Colorado Revised Statute has remained largely unchanged since the 1960’s25-5-808 – Provides the allowance for locals to regulate swimming areas. Local regulations can be more restrictive then the State regulations.25-1-508(5)(j) – Allows locals to establish and charge a fee to cover direct and indirect costs associated with EH services.25-5-810 – Provides the authority for CDPHE to promulgate regulations.Swimming Pools and Mineral Bath Regulations - 5 CCR 1003-5Last revised in 1998

6. ResourcesThe Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) has authority over regulationsLimited resources available to oversee/administer rules and provide technical assistance CDPHE supports program being administered at the local level

7. Path ForwardModel approach after other locally administered EH programs, such as Body Art and OWTSUpdate Part 8 – “Swimming Areas” of the CRSRequires a bill to be introducedStakeholder process to update regulations“Model” after MAHC , or;Incorporate MAHC by reference

8. Public Health Benefits and Value of Strong Aquatic Facilities Regulatory System; A Case History Tom Gonzales, El Paso County Public Health

9. Background Serves a population of 663,000, including Colorado Springs Inspects 271 bodies of water at 153 facilities Program was cut in 2007 due to budgets constraints Program was reinstated in 2012 as fee for service with a focus on education and critical violations. Collaborated with industry to develop logic model and goals

10. A New PurposeTo protect the health & safety of the community our our visitors who enjoy pools and spas through the efficient use of staff resources, and effective inspections and trainingWHY?

11. Results – The ImpactEducation and Inspection Efforts201225% Critical Violations 7% Closure2013 18% Critical Violations9% Closure 201415% Critical Violations (10% reduction from 1st year)4.5% Closure (50% reduction from 2nd year!)

12. Aquatics Industry Perspective on the Case for New RegulationsAdam Richardson, Colorado Pool Systems

13. Aquatic Industry PerspectiveCase for new regulations and items to address Define submittal requirements and plan check proceduresMany locations in Colorado currently do not have program for plan review/inspections of swimming pools State Health Department doesn’t have resources for review.Electronic submittal Include Plan submittal and requirementsContents of submittal. Included but not limited to: Names/addresses, site info, site plan, plot planPlans and specsScope of work and general notesDetailed scaled and dimensioned drawingsPlans, sections, detailsSpa plans and spa plumbing plans at ½”=1’-0”Equipment schedulesEquipment room design at ½”=1’-0”

14. Chemical storage and hazmatComplete plumbing systemsVentilationElectrical drawings and specificationsSafety equipment, cleaning equipmentSignageTechnical specs, data, calculationsLengthWidthDepthArea, PerimeterVolume Required turnover time and rateFilter area, filter ratePump rateActual turnover time and rateMSDS/HMISChemical list, quantities and storage location 

15. Existing regulations are vague and open to interpretation.Example: Section 3.2 Deck Area requires 5ft of unobstructed deck. Would a handrail, column or disabled access lift projecting into this 5ft area be considered an obstruction? % of deck surrounding pool/spa Regulations shall be revised and clearly defined.Streamline / Minimize review processReduce variances and request for alternative designs that are currently not addressed Provide new sections and update existingUpdate definitionsIncorporate VGB regulationsAlign regulations with ADA standardsProvide section for spas. Currently there is no section for spasOverflow gutters. Doesn’t address surge/collector tanks Revise piping section (velocity in pipes)Suction side of pump - 6 feet per secondDischarge side of pump – 8 feet per second

16. Update deck sectionUpdate lighting/electrical sectionUpdate mechanical/ventilation sectionProvide section on Infinity edgesProvide section on Underwater ledges / sun shelfProvide section on Water slidesProvide section on Lazy riverProvide section on Interactive water features with additional sanitary requirementsProvide specific signage language and requirementsProvide section for Lifeguards, certifications, training and education requirements Provide additional means of disinfection and pH control UVOzoneSalt Electrolytic Chlorine Generators 

17. Maintenance and operationsProvide complete Operations ManualOperational monitoringDaily, weekly, monthly, quarterly checklistsMaintenance and equipment checklistsWater chemistryCleaning list and frequencyBackwash procedureEquipment careRecord keeping and reportsChemical handling and personal protectionEmergency planning, procedures and trainingTesting equipmentChemical testing guidelinesForms and referencesInspectionsHazmat Business PlanEmergency response  Evacuation procedures 

18. Chemical spillsFireEmployee TrainingCPOEducationUltimate goal Same set of standards/regulations nationwide. 

19. Polling question #2How familiar are you with the Model Aquatic Health Code?• Very familiar• Somewhat familiar• Not familiar at all

20. Alignment of the Current CO Regulations with the Model Aquatic Health Code Craig Sanders, Jefferson County Public HealthSteve Chevalier, Tri County Health Department

21. DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAHC2005: CDC-sponsored workshop in AtlantaData-driven and knowledge basedModel code, not federal regulationUpdated periodicallyOpen access to informationSteering Committee / Technical Committees 2012: All modules were posted for comment2014: MAHC First edition available

22. MAHC Overview

23. MAHC OverviewMAHC and Annex TourTable of ContentsUser GuideGlossary of the Code and AnnexFacility Design Standards and ConstructionFacility Operation and MaintenancePolicies ManagementMAHC ResourcesAppendices

24. MAHC OverviewTable of Contents (page vii-xliii)Provides a very detailed guidance to specific sections of the code.

25. MAHC OverviewUser Guide (page 51-53) Provides an introduction to the structure and organization of the CodeProvides an introduction to the Code AnnexThe Annex gives further explanations of why certain recommendations are made, discusses rationale, provides scientific basis (when available), notes areas where additional research is needed, discusses terminology used, as well as other illustrative materials that provide support of recommendations within the Code.

26. MAHC OverviewGlossary (page 54-69) Provides exceptional level of detail and attention to terms, phrases, acronyms, and initialisms used throughout the Code and Annex.

27. MAHC OverviewFacility Design Standards and Construction (page 70 – 200) Provides requirements and recommendations on design standards, from the plan review process and consideration of the facility location, intended use, sizing criteria, to the detailed minutia of the deck joint widths.

28. MAHC OverviewFacility Operation and Maintenance (page 201-253) Provides a detailed review of, including but not limited to, requirements and recommendations for facility permitting, inspections, variances, closures and reporting, preventative maintenance plans, daily operation standards (circulation, disinfection, etc), and frequency of testing.

29. MAHC OverviewPolicies Management (page 250-316) Provides guidance on the requirement for staff training, training course content, required staffing, safety plans, facility management and operations, notification requirements, patron related management topics, and feces, blood, vomit planning and response.

30. MAHC OverviewMAHC Resources (Annex only, page 313-350) Documents all of the sources used for rational of the recommendations in the Code and discussions in the Annex.

31. MAHC OverviewAppendices (Annex only) Provides additional information on derivations of formulas and calculations, theories, and procedures discussed in the Annex.

32. MAHC OverviewLinks:CDC site for the MAHC: http://www.cdc.gov/mahc/ MAHC Code: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/swimming/pools/mahc/Complete-First-Edition-MAHC-Code.pdfMAHC Annex: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/swimming/pools/mahc/Complete-First-Edition-MAHC-Annex.pdf

33. MAHC OverviewLinks:Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC)The CMAHC educates local and state authorities, aquatic facility owners, operators, designers, manufacturers, builders and retailers about the MAHC and promotes its updating and voluntary adoption across the U.S. Every other year, The CMAHC invites public health and industry leaders to gather at the Vote on the Code Biennial Conference for discussion and member voting on new language and content for the MAHC. https://cmahc.org/index.php

34. The Colorado Swimming Pool and Mineral Bath Regulations: Where the MAHC Could Support Change to Colorado’s Current StandardBenefits of using the MAHC for a proposed regulation revision:Nationally uniformCollaboratively developed from science and best practices.Input from industryFocus on the reduction of RWI outbreaks, drowning, injuries, and chemical exposures.The document is all encompassing and provides the base for aquatic facility design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Data driven, knowledge based risk reductionHelps us speak with one voice nationally to protect public healthThe Annex

35. The Colorado Swimming Pool and Mineral Bath Regulations: Where the MAHC Could Support Change to Colorado’s Current StandardSection 2: User GuideThe AnnexSection 3: GlossarySection 4: Facility Design Standards and ConstructionSection 5: Facility Operation and MaintenanceSection 6: Policies and Management

36. Colorado Regs vs. MAHC3.12 SAND FILTERS:All sand filters shall comply in all respects with the standards of the NSF covering such filters. Sand filters shall be properly sized to achieve the proper turnover rate without exceeding the maximum flow rate for the filter design. Rapid sand filters shall be sized for a filter rate not to exceed 3-5 gal./min./sq.ft. High rate sand filters shall be sized to operate at a filter flow rate of 15-20 gpm/sq.ft. The underdrain system shall be of corrosion resistant and durable material so designed and of such material that the orifices or other openings will maintain an approximate constant area. It shall be designed to provide even collection or distribution of the flow during filtration and backwashing. The filter system shall be provided with a rate of flow indicator, a method of air release of the filter tank, and pressure gauges, all in good operating condition. A backwash sight glass shall be provided. The recommended sand specifications must be provided with each filter on a plate on the filter tank in an easily readable

37. Colorado Regs vs. MAHC

38. MAHC Search Tool

39. How Much or How Little?MAHC is NOT a federal regulation and there is no requirement for its adoption or useIf desired, the MAHC can be adopted:VerbatimBy referenceMay be amended based on local desiresAdministration and enforcement based on local options (licensing, etc).Fees – any - are determined locally

40. Polling question #3Should Colorado move forward to adopt revised laws and/or regulations for Colorado Aquatic Venues? • Yes• No• Not Sure

41. Next StepsFollow-on Survey Monkey Invite interested parties to work on developing and implementing a stakeholder process Initiate work this summer

42. Q&AAdditional questions can be submitted to jrada@jeffco.usjThis webinar and other documents associated with the Colorado Swimming Pool and Mineral Bath Regulation revision process can be found at:http:www.naccho.org/programs/environmental-health/hazards/water/model-aquatic-health-code-mahc-networkThank you for your participation today!