General Information

The term "public swimming pool" means an artificial body of water used by the public for swimming, diving, wading, recreation, or therapy. The term includes municipal, school, hotel, motel, apartment, athletic clubs, and other pools and spas.

We, as environmental health specialists, inspect public swimming pools, spas and wading pools once or twice a year depending on the specific permit. There are approximately 350 public pools in Forsyth County. During the inspection, we check water chemistry and temperature; pool construction features such as fences, ladders, steps, decks, and lighting; pool circulation system; depth markers, diving markers; safety provisions such as signage, life saving equipment, and suction hazards.

Pool Construction & Operation Requirements

If you are planning to construct a new pool, it will be necessary for you to submit a complete plan, designed by an engineer, with an engineer’s seal and a plan review fee. Once submitted, the plan will be reviewed by an Environmental Health Specialist (EHS). Once the plan has been approved, an approval letter will be issued and construction inspections during the construction process will be initiated. When the EHS verifies that the pool is constructed according to the approved plan and ready to open, a Public Swimming Pool Operation Permit (OP) will be issued.

To receive your Public Swimming Pool Operation Permit, you must submit an application and fee. An EHS will conduct inspections throughout the period specified on the Operation Permit. Keep in mind a Certified Pool Operator must be available and responsible for the swimming pool. All Public Swimming Pools require annual renewal applications and relevant renewal fees.

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has proposed amendments to the North Carolina Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools that will likely affect swimming pool owners and operators. The rules, proposed to take affect on May 1, 2010, will make the provisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007 fully enforceable at the state and local level. Pool owners will be required to provide documentation of compliance with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Standard or their pools will be required to close until compliance is documented. The documentation required must show that all submerged suction outlets, other than vacuum ports, have been covered with a cover/grate meeting the standard, that the drain sumps meet the dimensional requirements in the cover/grate manufacturer’s installation instructions, and that the flow rating or main drain cover/grates is sufficient to handle the full flow of the pumping system with one drain completely blocked. Pools with a single main drain or multiple drains closer than 3 feet apart on centers will be required to have a secondary means of preventing bather entrapment.

To help pool owners better understand the new pool drain safety standards and meet the documentation requirements, the Division of Environmental Health has launched a website. Please visit that site for more information.