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Public Swimming Pools
Public Swimming Pools

Public Swimming Pools

Public swimming pools, spas and special use pools are regulated under the authority of Chapter 3749 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Chapter 3701-31 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). The public swimming pool rules were created to establish minimum standards, applicable throughout Ohio, for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of these facilities in order to protect the bathing public from injury, minimize the potential for disease transmission, and provide a safe and healthy aquatic recreational environment. These rules do not pertain to private residential pools.

Public Swimming Pool and Spa Drowning Prevention Program:

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in children ages 1 to 4 in Ohio; it is the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in children ages 5 to 9 and 10 to 14. Survivors of severe drowning incidents can experience long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning deficiencies, and loss of basic cognitive functioning. Historically, Ohio has not systematically collected detailed information on public swimming pool-related injuries or deaths.

Recognizing the usefulness of this information for preventing drowning incidents, the Ohio Department of Health has initiated the Public Swimming Pool and Spa Drowning Prevention Program to determine the frequency and circumstances of these occurrences and to identify opportunities to prevent serious injuries in the future.

Any incident associated with a public swimming pool or spa facility that results in death, serious injury, or assistance from emergency medical personnel shall be reported to the licensor within seventy-two hours following the incident. “Serious injury” is defined as an injury that does not require immediate hospital admission but does require medical treatment, other than first aid. Voluntary reporting of other injuries is highly encouraged.

Injuries are able to be reported online using the “Ohio Public Swimming Pool and Spa Injury Incident Report Form”.

Swim Safely Scavenger Hunt

Do you know about the safety precautions that are in place at public swimming pools in Ohio? Take our Swim Safely Scavenger Hunt at the link below to learn about how to ensure you and your family have a fun and safe visit at an Ohio public pool this summer. There you will find more information about the required safety equipment provided by pool operators, and learn some fast facts about pool safety along the way. 

CDC Pool Chemical Safety Resources

A number of pool chemical incidents have occurred recently this summer. Contributing factors might include the a shortage of stabilized chlorine (which means operators are using different chlorine products that they are not used to), short staffed public aquatic venues, inexperienced aquatics staff, and new residential pool owners.

Healthy and Safe Swimming Means:

  • providing continuous and close supervision to swimmers;
  • providing restroom facilities at the pool;
  • maintaining restroom facilities in a clean and sanitary condition;
  • providing signage for pool users on good hygiene practices;
  • restricting persons with diarrhea from using the pool; and
  • maintaining water quality to reduce pathogens in the pool water.

A public swimming pool collectively means a:

  • Public Swimming Pool
  • Public Spa
  • Special Use Pool
  • Wading Pool
  • Spray Ground

Public swimming pool vs. private residential pool?

A public swimming pool is defined as any indoor or outdoor structure, chamber, or tank containing a body of water that is intended to be used collectively for swimming, diving, or bathing.

A private residential pool is one located at a dwelling housing no more than three families and used exclusively by the residents and their non-paying guests.

Services provided by the ODH Public Swimming Pool program:

Coronavirus Disease 2019, COVID-19

  • Coronavirus.Ohio.gov - The State of Ohio's source for updated, accurate information to help you prepare for and protect against coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19.
  • If you have questions regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19 please call 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634).

General information:614-644-7438 

Construction inspection requests: 614-644-7468

Engineering: 614-644-7527

 

 

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