Solution: Swimming Pool Hygiene

When operating pools, the operator must comply with a wide range of standards to minimize the risk of infection (pool hygiene). This applies in particular to elevated water temperatures, whirlpools (e.g. whirlpools or hot tubs) or other attractions in indoor or outdoor pools.

Hygienically perfect bathing water starts with the drinking water quality of the filling water and continues with the continuous removal of impurities introduced by bathers and other environmental influences. Only a well-coordinated interplay of bathing water treatment, disinfection and pool hydraulics can ensure this.

The Bathing Water Hygiene Ordinance and the Bathing Water Hygiene Act regulate the inspection, as well as structural standards and standards for the operation of indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs (whirlpools) and small bathing ponds.

According to the Bathing Water Hygiene Ordinance, the bathing water must be of such a quality that sufficient precautions are taken to protect the health of bathers, particularly from a hygiene point of view.

License holders of the following facilities must submit an annual water hygiene report to the authorities in accordance with the Bathing Water Hygiene Ordinance (BHygV):

• Indoor swimming pools
• artificial outdoor pools
• Swimming pools in accommodation facilities
• Hot whirlpool baths(whirlpools)
• Facilities with hot whirlpool baths(whirlpools)
• Small bathing ponds
• Pools and tubs in medical facilities

The quality of the water in the listed facilities is examined, as well as the quality of the washing and shower water if this does not come from a water supply system in accordance with the Drinking Water Ordinance.

If the report shows that the quality of the water does not meet the legal requirements, the business owner must immediately arrange for the defect to be rectified and check the effectiveness of the measures by means of a new water hygiene report.