Public Aquatic Facilities
Public aquatic facilities include swimming pools, spa pools, and interactive water play areas. These facilities promote healthy and active lifestyles, but if not managed properly, they can pose risks of spreading diseases through contaminated water.
To help keep the community safe, the Victorian Government regulates aquatic facilities under the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019. These rules cover:
- Registration (for Category 1 facilities)
- Operator responsibilities
- Water quality standards
- Record-keeping
- How to respond if there’s a problem (like illness outbreaks)
Do All Facilities Need to Register?
Aquatic facilities are divided into two categories:
Category 1 facilities (larger, higher-risk facilities) must register with Council. A Category 1 aquatic facility means a swimming pool, spa pool or interactive water feature that is:
- used by members of the public, whether free of charge or for a fee
- used in association with a class or program that is offered free of charge or for a fee
- located at the premises of an early childhood service, school or other educational institution
- located at premises at which residential aged care services are provided
- located at a public hospital, multi-purpose service, a denominational hospital or a private hospital
- located at a privately-operated hospital within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Health Services Act 1988.
Category 2 facilities (smaller, lower-risk facilities like pools at gyms, hotels or apartments) do not need to register, but they must still follow the safety and water quality rules.
Register a Category 1 Facility
Before registering, ensure you have:
- Spoken to the planning and building departments and obtained any necessary permits.
- You understand your obligations under the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019.
Submit your registration application
Once you have completed and lodged the application, a Health Officer will contact you to arrange a site inspection. If all requirements are met and your registration is approved, you will receive a Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 Certificate of Registration. Registration is valid for 12 months and must be renewed each year. You will receive a reminder each year with an application form to renew your registration.
Water Quality Risk Management Plan and Water Quality Guidelines
Both Category 1 and Category 2 aquatic facilities must have a Water Quality Risk Management Plan and comply with the Water Quality Guidelines for public aquatic facilities.
The plan outlines how aquatic facilities will protect public health by managing water quality risks, and provides details on how they comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019.
The Water Quality Risk Management plan must include the following:
- staff roles and responsibilities, competencies and training requirements
- a description of the facility, its source water, and its treatment systems
- water quality targets and treatment objectives
- hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures
- operational and verification monitoring
- incident management and response procedures
- data recording and reporting.
The Department of Health has developed resources to assist aquatics facilities prepare their water quality risk management plan and templates are available.
Roles and responsibilities of aquatic facility operators
- Register your aquatic facility with Council
- Create and follow your Water Quality Risk Management Plan
- Undertake water sampling as outlined in your Water Quality Risk Management Plan
- Notify Council’s Environmental Health Unit of all failed water samples within 24 hours
- Follow your Water Quality Risk Management Plan and Council instruction when water samples fail or if you are notified of a gastroenteritis outbreak at your premises
- Maintain records of onsite testing and daily operations for at least 12 months from the date the record was made
- Provide adequate training to all staff members
- Ensure the aquatic facility is kept in a clean, sanitary and well maintained condition
Follow the Department of Health and Human Services healthy swimming recommendations.
Role and responsibilities of Council
Council has an important role to play as your registration authority. With your support, we will be helping in the following ways:
- Assessing, approving and monitoring facilities
- Carrying out annual inspections and water sampling of the facility
- Providing advice, education and support as required
Useful information and resources
If you would like to speak to a Health Officer, call our customer service team on (03) 5422 0333 or email health@mrsc.vic.gov.au