The following amendment to the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water Spray Park Regulation (AR 293/2006) went into affect on November 6, 2009. It is advised that the “responsible person” at your facility review and revise your current practices and polices on microbiological sampling.

Section 15(1) is repealed and the following is substituted:

15(1) A sample of the water in a pool must be taken and submitted to the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health (Microbiology) for microbiological testing

(a) every week, or

(b) at such other intervals as set out in a schedule established by the Chief Medical Officer or by an executive officer with the approval of the Chief Medical Officer.

Previous statement in the Regulations:

15(1) Every week a sample of the water in a pool must be taken and submitted to the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health (Microbiology) for microbiological testing.

Visit www.lifesaving.org for links to these Regulations and other important safety management resources.

Rational for Changes:

Clarification provided in an email dated November 20, 2009 by:

Debra Mooney, Project Manager
Health Protection Branch, Alberta Health and Wellness
Tel: 780-427-8273 | debra.mooney@gov.ab.ca

“In the context of pandemic planning, the Provincial Lab has been reviewing any pertinent regulations which set out specific Provincial Lab commitments to processing samples of drinking water and pool water.
Under Section 15 of the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water Spray Park Regulation for water, pools were required to send their samples weekly to the Provincial Laboratory and there was no built-in flexibility which would allow the lab to shift to emergency priorities or perhaps reduce services when they have too many ill staff.”

“Consequently, an amendment was made to Section 15 which would allow for a different schedule of sampling (for example once per month) with the approval of the Chief Medical Officer of Health or by the executive officer with the approval of the CMOH. A change in the frequency could lessen the burden on the lab in times of emergency such as pandemic. Any change in frequency would need to be based on the type of pool, (for example, every whirlpool could drain and fill every week) the operating history of the pools, etc.”

________________________________
Sue Sherman
Communication Director
Lifesaving Society Alberta & Northwest Territories
11759 Groat Road / Edmonton, AB / T5M 3K6
Tel: 780 415 1755 / Fax: 780 427 9334
E-mail: sues@lifesaving.org / Web:
www.lifesaving.org