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                    Public aquatic facilities

                    To maximise the safety and success of your public aquatic facility, it is important that you continue to operate it in a way that protects the health and wellbeing of the Victorian community.

                    ​​​Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 (the regulations), people who use your facility must be protected from risk of infection via contaminated water and surfaces, or person to person contact. This is particularly important for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and people with low immunity. 

                    To ensure this, regulations require owners of Category 1 aquatic facilities to register their premises with the City of Melbourne Council from 14 December 2020.

                    Who needs to register?

                    There are two categories of aquatic facilities. Depending on the type of facility you manage, you have different requirements according to the regulations.​

                    Category 1

                    ​A Category 1 aquatic facility is a swimming pool, spa pool or interactive water feature that is: 

                    • used by members of the public free of charge or for a fee
                    • used in association with a class or program that is offered free of charge or for a fee
                    • located at the premises of an early childhood service, school or other educational institution
                    • located at premises at which residential aged care services are provided
                    • located at a public hospital
                    • located at a multipurpose service
                    • located at a denominational hospital
                    • located at a private hospital
                    • located at a privately-operated hospital within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Health Services Act 1988.

                    Category 2

                    A Category 2 aquatic facility is a swimming pool or spa pool that is used by members of the public and located at the premises of:

                    • a residential apartment complex
                    • a hotel, motel or hostel.

                    Registration of Category 1 aquatic facilities

                    The cost of a Category 1 aquatic facility registration is $280. Registration is valid for 12 months and must be renewed each year. We will send you a reminder and an application form to renew your registration.

                    How to register your Category 1 aquatic facility

                    ​If you are the proprietor or owner of a Category 1 aquatic facility, you need to register your details by submitting the application form below to health@melbourne.vic.gov.au  
                     
                    If all requirements are met and your registration is processed, you will receive a Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 Certificate of Registration.

                    Taking over an existing Category 1 aquatic facility

                    ​It is your responsibility to transfer the registration of an existing business into your name. Register your details with Council by submitting the application form below to health@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Water quality risk management plan

                    ​Both Category 1 and Category 2 aquatic facilities must have a water quality risk management plan and comply with the water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities.

                    The plan outlines how aquatic facilities will protect public health by managing water quality risks, and provides details on how they comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019.

                    A water quality risk management template and guide for developing a plan is available through the Department Health and Human Services (DHHS). The use of the template is not mandatory and you can create your own template that addresses all the key components set out in the guidelines if you prefer.

                    For assistance with developing a water quality risk management plan, visit the Department of Health and Human Services water aquatic facilities website.

                    Note: The water quality guidelines replace Victoria’s Pool Operator’s Handbook 2008 and the Queensland Health Swimming and spa pool water quality and operational guidelines 2004.

                    Responsibilities of aquatic facility operators

                    • ​Register your aquatic facility with Council (Category 1 only).
                    • Develop and adhere to your water quality risk management plan.
                    • Undertake water sampling as outlined in your water quality risk management plan.
                    • Notify Council of all failed water samples within 24 hours as per your water quality risk management plan.
                    • Follow the water quality risk management plan and the directions of Council when water samples fail.
                    • Follow your water quality risk management plan and Council directions should you be notified of a gastro outbreak at your facility.
                    • Maintain a record of operational and verification monitoring results for at least 12 months from the date the record was made.
                    • Provide adequate training to all staff members specific to their role.
                    • Ensure the aquatic facility is kept in a clean, sanitary and in a hygienic condition.
                    • Follow the DHHS healthy swimming recommendations.

                    Council's role

                    Council has an important role to play as your registration authority. With your support, Council will help by:

                    • assessing, approving and monitoring facilities
                    • carrying out inspections of the facility
                    • investigating complaints and outbreaks pertaining to  your facility
                    • providing advice, education and support as required.

                    Council’s buildings registration requirements

                    The Victorian Government has introduced new requirements to improve swimming pool and spa safety, including barrier safety standards, inspection, maintenance and compliance requirements for property owners. If you own a pool or spa in the City of Melbourne municipality, please visit the building safety and amenity swimming pool and spa registration webpage for more information.

                    Disinfection parameters for swimming pools

                    Disinfection parameters are as follows:

                    • Minimum free chlorine level: 1 ppm, or 2 ppm if stabilised with cyanuric acid
                    • Maximum free chlorine concentration: 8 ppm
                    • combined chlorine concentration: less than free chlorine residual at all times
                    • Minimum free bromine residual: 2 ppm
                    • Maximum free bromine: 8 ppm

                    Disinfection parameters for spa pools

                    Disinfection parameters are as follows:

                    • Minimum free chlorine level: 2 ppm, or 3 ppm if stabilised with cyanuric acid
                    • Maximum free chlorine concentration: 8 ppm
                    • Combined chlorine concentration: less than free chlorine residual at all times
                    • Minimum free bromine residual: 4 ppm
                    • Maximum free bromine: 8 ppm.

                    Other parameters

                    When operating a swimming pool or spa pool, the following parameters must be maintained:

                    • pH of the water should be between 7.2 and 8.0 to ensure bather comfort, equipment protection and sanitiser affectivity.
                    • Ozone must be removed prior to patrons entering the pool
                    • alkalinity of the swimming pool or spa water must be between 60 and 200 ppm.
                    • Temperature of the pool water must not exceed 40°C
                    • Water is to be effectively filtered so that all visible extraneous matter is removed.
                    • Cyanuric acid is only to be used in outdoor pools and must not exceed the concentration of 50 ppm.

                    The proprietor must ensure that a written faecal accident policy for the pool is in place. This should include evacuation of the pool and chemical shock treatment of the water once everyone is evacuated.

                    Water testing parameters for swimming pools

                    Water testing parameters are as follows:

                    • free chlorine or bromine: four hours
                    • pH: four hours
                    • combined chlorine or total bromine: daily
                    • total alkalinity: weekly
                    • cyanuric acid (if used): monthly.

                    Water testing parameters for spa pools

                    Water testing parameters are as follows:

                    • free chlorine or bromine: four hours
                    • pH: four hours
                    • combined chlorine or total bromine: daily
                    • total alkalinity: daily
                    • cyanuric acid (if used): weekly.

                    Report a public health issue

                    If you have public health concerns about aquatic facilities, you can report it t​o us. You can also report suspected unregistered Category 1 aquatic facilities.

                    Reported issues will be investigated by our Environmental Health Officers.

                    Did you know?
                    On 1 December 2019, new laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria. It is now mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located (such as residential buildings or accommodation) to register their pool or spa with the relevant council. Find out more

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                    Health and Wellbeing team
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