Public pools and spas
What is considered a public pool or spa?
There are two classes of public pools :
- Class A pools are those where the general public is admitted or that is operated in conjunction with or as part of a program of an educational, instructional, physical fitness, or athletic institution or association. They are supported in whole or in part by public funds or public subscription. Class A pools also include those operated on the premises of a recreational camp, for use by campers and their visitors and camp personnel.
- Class B pools are those that are operated
- on the premises of an apartment building that contains six or more dwelling units or suites or a mobile home park, for the use of the occupants and their visitors
- as a facility to serve a community of six or more single-family private residences, for the use of residents and their visitors
- on the premises of a hotel for the use of its guests and their visitors
- on the premises of a campground for the use of its tenants and their visitors
- in conjunction with a club for the use of its members and their visitors, or a condominium, co-operative, or community property that contains six or more dwelling units or suites for the use of the owners or members and their visitors
- in conjunction with a childcare centre, a day camp or an establishment or facility for the care or treatment of persons who have special needs, for the use of those persons and their visitors, or neither a Class A pool, nor exempt from the provisions of the Public Pools Regulation
- A Class C facility is any of the following:
- a public wading pool
- a public spray pad or public splash pad
- a water slide receiving basin that serves solely as a receiving basin for persons at the bottom of a water slide
- Public spas are hydro-massage pools with heated water, intended for therapeutic or recreational use and utilize hydro jet circulation or air bubbles to introduce current in to the water.
Does Public Health Sudbury & Districts inspect public pools and spas?
Yes. Public health inspectors inspect all Class A and B public pools and spas as well as all Class C facilities to ensure they meet legal requirements. Public health inspectors work closely with operators to ensure that these facilities are protected from causing illness through contaminated water or injuries to the bathers through improperly installed or maintained safety equipment.
For inspection and enforcement information, visit Check Before You Go! or contact a public health inspector by calling 705.522.9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
How often are recreational water facilities inspected?
The Ministry of Health sets out the minimal frequency of compliance inspections. The frequency of inspections is as follows:
- at least four times per year if the facility is operational year-round
- at least two times per year if the facility operates seasonally
- as needed when public health inspectors follow up on non-compliance issues, complaints, reports of illnesses or injuries, and to monitor the safety of the facility
Inspections include observations to determine compliance with the regulations, testing water quality and collecting water samples. If there are continuing issues with non-compliance, a fine can be issued or if there is an immediate health hazard observed at the time of the inspection, a closure order can be issued to the operator.
Spray or splash pads and wading pools
What is a public spray or splash pad?
A public spray or splash pad is a water play area that has interactive fountains or equipment that spray or jet water to contact bathers and has no standing or captured water as part of the bather activity area. These can be located indoors or outdoors. Splash pads have become very popular installations and offer a great benefit to the general public.
What is a public wading pool?
A public wading pool is any structure, basin, chamber, or tank intended to contain an artificial body of water having a depth of water equal to 75 cm or less at any point. Its purpose is for the recreational or instructive use of young children.
Does Public Health Sudbury & Districts inspect spray or splash pads and wading pools?
Yes. The Ministry of Health sets out the minimal frequency of compliance inspections. The frequency of inspections is as follows:
- at least once per year and no less than once every three months while operating
- as needed when public health inspectors follow up on non-compliance issues, complaints, reports of illnesses or injuries and to monitor the safety of the facility
Inspections include observations to determine the safety of the structures and water quality, testing water, and collecting water samples.
Public beaches
Swimming at the beach is an enjoyable summer activity. A public beach is defined as a beach area owned/operated by a municipality that the public has access to, and recreational use of the water may result in waterborne illness or injury as determined by the local Medical Officer of Health.
How often are public beaches inspected?
Public beaches undergo a pre-season assessment annually which includes:
- an environmental survey
- a review of historical and epidemiological data
- determining the suitability of the site for public recreational use
- identifying possible contaminant sources
- collaborating with local stakeholders, municipalities, and other surrounding landowners to reduce or eliminate any potential impact on the safety of the water prior to public recreational use
- collecting water samples to assess water quality before the start of the season
Once the pre-season assessment is completed, routine beach surveillance of all public beaches takes place for the season which is June to August. Beaches are sampled on a monthly or weekly basis. Beaches that have had consistent satisfactory water samples in the previous five bathing seasons have a reduced sampling frequency of once per month. Beaches are inspected and the water is monitored to ensure that the safety of the public beach front is maintained and the quality of the water is satisfactory. When a beach is sampled, five water samples are taken and submitted to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing of E. coli levels.
It is important to know that the water quality can change with weather and other factors. Public Health Sudbury & Districts posts signs at public beaches advising that the beach may be unsafe when the water quality may pose a risk to bathers. See our Beach Water Quality page to learn more about what affects water quality, when notice and warning signs are posted, or when beaches are closed.
For more information on these topics or to file a complaint, contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 464. You can also submit your question or complaint electronically.