Pools and spas

Proprietors of public swimming pools and bathing waters must make sure that appropriate maintenance is carried out on pools and spas to prevent the transmission of infectious organisms.

Standards of practice – microbiological quality

Pool operators must ensure that swimming pools and spa pools open for use to the general public meet specified microbiological standards. These parameters are as follows:

• Total bacterial count must be less than 100 colony forming units (cfu)/mL.
• Coliform bacteria must not be detected in 100mL.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa must not be detected in 100mL.

The above parameters are required to be tested by a laboratory. During the twice yearly inspections conducted by the City of Melbourne, these parameters are tested. It is recommend that businesses take a proactive approach and arrange for their own periodic testing.

Whenever a water sample has not complied with the microbiological standards, the following steps are to be taken:

1. The pool must be shock dosed with chlorine or bromine.
2. The pool water treatment and water maintenance program must be reviewed.
3. Any faults should be corrected and necessary actions should be taken to avoid re-occurrence.
4. A further sample should be taken to an approved laboratory for re-testing.
5. If the analysis shows that the water sample complies with the standards, then the problem has been rectified.

If the results of the second test are still unsatisfactory, then steps 1–4 must be repeated to ensure that the water is safe for public use. The pool is to be closed until the problem has been attended to and the results comply with the standards.

Disinfection parameters

The table below outlines the Swimming Pool Disinfection Parameters set in the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations. 

Other parameters

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

• The 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.
• The alkalinity of the swimming pool or spa water must be between 60 and 200ppm.
• The temperature of the pool water must not exceed 40 deg C.
• The 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 50ppm.
• 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. 

For more information on this policy visit Department of Human Services Faecal Accident Policy.

Water testing

Water testing is a mandatory requirement. Results must be recorded in a log book and kept on-site so that it is available for inspection at all times. The pH and free chlorine / bromine level (whichever is used) must be measured 30 minutes before the pool is opened for public use.

It is the proprietors’ responsibility to ensure that their swimming pool and / or spa pool is tested according to the table below.

City of Melbourne inspections

It is not a requirement for swimming pools to be registered with council. However City of Melbourne inspects all public and commercial pools and spa pools every six months to ensure all pools are safe for public use.

During inspections health officers will:

• test the disinfectant levels
• test pH and alkalinity levels
• test temperature
• inspect the water testing log book
• take water samples for microbiological testing.

More information

Victoria Government Pool Operators' Handbook (PDF, 1.3Mb)

For more information on swimming pools and spas visit the Department of Human Services swimming pools and spas.

For more information on regulations regarding the maintenance of pools and spas call the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.