Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Summary of Regulations for Operators of Public Pools in Anne Arundel County

Updated: 10.5.11

Lifeguards:

Licensed lifeguards must be on duty on the deck of any public pool whenever the pool is open, in the ratio of at least one guard for every 50 people, or fraction of 50, in the pool. More guards may be required if necessary to adequately ensure the safety of the bathers.

All lifeguards must be licensed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.

Pool Operators:

A licensed pool operator shall be on site at all times when a pool or spa is open.

All pool operators must be licensed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.

CPR & First Aid Personnel:

There must be a person at the pool or spa who has current and valid certificates in CPR and first aid.

Disinfection and Water Chemistry:

*Cyanuric acid shall not be used in spas or in indoor pools. Cyanuric acid use is optional in outdoor pools.

The water shall be clear enough so that the main drains are clearly visible and sharply defined when observed from the side of the pool or spa.

The minimum flow rate that is necessary to maintain the applicable turnover time shall be posted in each pool's pump room.

Operating Records:

A pool operator shall test the water in one-hour intervals when a pool or spa is open. The initial test is to be performed half an hour before opening.

The following items shall be recorded hourly:

1) Free chlorine residual
2) Combined chlorine residual
3) pH
4) Water clarity
5) Water temperature (if heated)
6) Flow rate

The following items shall be recorded weekly for a pool and daily for a spa:

1) Total alkalinity
2) Calcium hardness
3) Cyanuric acid (if used)

The results shall be recorded on Operating Record forms supplied by the Department of Health or by the pool owner. Record sheets shall be kept on the premises for at least two years.

A pool operator shall check each pool and spa every day before opening to look for suction entrapment hazards. The Entrapment Hazard Checklist must be filled out daily and kept with the pool's operating records.

Safety Equipment:

The following items are required to be kept at all pools:

1) A complete first aid kit with Band-Aids, gauze, tape, eyewash, bee-sting swabs, etc.
2) CPR mask
3) Disposable latex gloves
4) Bloodborne pathogen control kit (blood cleanup kit)
5) Backboard with head immobilizer
6) 10-foot pole
7) Rescue tube(s)

A pool or spa must have a working telephone at all times.

Test Kits:

A pool and spa shall be supplied with a test kit that is capable of performing all of the required water tests.

Restrooms/Locker Rooms:

Every pool must have working toilets, sinks and showers available. Supplies such as soap, toilet paper and paper towels must be present at all times.

Disease Control:

A person with any of the following conditions may not be permitted to use any pool or spa: 

• A contagious disease that may be transmitted through water;
• An open cut, blister or other lesion; or
• Diarrhea

Injury and Illness Reports:

A serious injury occurring at a pool or spa must be reported to the Department of Health within 5 days. A waterborne illness contracted at a pool or spa must be reported to the Department of Health within 24 hours of the owner's or operator's knowledge of the illness.

For more information, contact:
Anne Arundel County Department of Health
Environmental Health
Sanitary Engineering Program
3 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-7193

For more information see:
Pool-Related Permits and Licenses