The South Australian Public Health (General) Regulations 2013 and the Standard for the Operation of Swimming Pools and Spa Pools prescribe a number of specific requirements for owners and operators of public pools and spas to ensure that water quality is of a standard that protects public health. If a swimming pool, spa pool, wading pool, hydrotherapy pool or water slide is available for use by the public, the owner or occupier of the premises must ensure that the pool is under the care, control and management of a person with appropriate knowledge and experience in matters relating to the care, control and management of public pools.
A public pool includes pools for use:
- By persons on a payment of admission or a membership fee
- in association with temporary accommodation (for example a hotel, motel or caravan park)
- by persons who attend, live or work on the premises where the pool is located (excluding pools associated with single private residence that are only made available for the use of residents and their guests).
Council inspect and regularly test water quality of all public swimming pools within the area to ensure that it is safe for public use. However, pool users also have a responsibility to protect public health and keep the water safe and clean for everyone to enjoy. Ensuring that people (including babies and children) with diarrhoea don't use a swimming pool until two weeks after the diarrhoea stops can help to prevent the spread of Cryptosporidium, a highly infectious parasite associated with swimming pools/spas.
Any queries relating to management of water quality in public swimming pools can be sent to health@gawler.sa.gov.au or via phone at 8522 9211.
Downloads
- Standard for the Operation of Swimming Pools and Spa Pools in South Australia
- Guideline for the Inspection and Maintenance of Swimming Pools and Spa Pools in South Australia
- Management of display spa pools (PDF 150KB)
- Management of spa baths on houseboats (PDF 60KB)
- Faecal and vomit release incidents – public pool response strategies (PDF 127KB)
- Minimising the risk of cryptosporidiosis in public swimming pools and spa pools - for pool operators (PDF 544KB)