Q-2, r. 39 - Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools

Section 5 Disposition versions

2012-09-01

5. The microbiological and physicochemical quality of pool water must meet the following standards:

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           MICROBIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
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   Parameter                         Standard
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Fecal coliforms                  <1 CFU/100 ml
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Escherichia coli                 <1 CFU/100 ml
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa           <1 CFU/100 ml
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Staphylococcus aureus            <30 CFU/100 ml
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           PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS
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   Parameter                         Standard
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Alkalinity                         60 to 150 mg/l CaCO3
                                                     
Chloramines        indoor pools    ≤0.5 mg/l 
                   outdoor pools   ≤1.0 mg/l
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Residual disinfectant
   Free chlorine:  indoor pools    0.8 to 2.0 mg/l 
                   outdoor pools   0.8 to 3.0 mg/l 
   Total bromine                   2.0 to 5.0 mg/l 
   Ozone                           0.0 mg/l
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Hardness                           150 to 400 mg/l CaCO3
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pH                                 7.2 to 7.8
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Turbidity                          ≤1.0 NTU
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For the purposes of this Regulation, chloramine concentration is the difference between the measurements of total residual chlorine and free residual chlorine.

If cyanuric acid is used during the disinfection of the water in an outdoor pool, the same residual disinfectant power must be obtained. Cyanuric acid must not be used in indoor pools and its value must not be greater than 60 mg/l.

If a disinfectant other than chlorine or bromine is used, it must have the same residual disinfectant power. The product must be approved or certified by Health Canada.

If ultraviolet (UV) lamps or ozone are used to treat the water, the residual disinfectant power must be obtained with another disinfectant agent.

If equipment for measuring oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is used, the value measured must be greater than 700 mV.

If sea water is used to fill a pool, the alkalinity, hardness, pH and residual disinfectant must be adjusted to obtain the same disinfectant power as the power obtained with the standards in this section.

O.C. 1087-2006, s. 5.