Published: 11 December 2024
Summer Water Quality Updates for Aquatic Facility Owners and Operators
With summer underway, aquatic facility operators face heightened risks regarding water quality, particularly given recent increases in outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis.
According to health departments across Australia, last summer marked the worst year on record for cryptosporidium outbreaks in some states. This trend serves as a timely reminder of the importance of water quality risk management to protect public health and safety.
State and Territory Water Quality Frameworks
The management of water quality in public aquatic facilities is governed by various state and territory-specific frameworks. Below are key resources and links to assist operators in meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring best practices:
New South Wales
- NSW Health Pool Operators Handbook: Link
- NSW Guidelines for Public Swimming Pools and Spa Pools (Draft 2022): Link
Victoria
- Water Quality Guidelines for Public Aquatic Facilities: Link
Queensland
- Water Quality Guidelines for Public Aquatic Facilities: Link
South Australia
- South Australian Health Swimming Pool and Spa Guidelines: Link
Western Australia
- Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management & Maintenance of Aquatic Facilities: Link
Tasmania
- Recreational Water Quality Guidelines (2007): Link
Australian Capital Territory
- Public Health (Swimming Pools) Code of Practice (2018): Link
Northern Territory
- Health Guidelines for Swimming Pool Operators: Link
Updated Display Resources for Customers
Many state health departments offer display resources that aquatic facilities can use to educate customers about water safety and hygiene practices. Below are updated resources:
- NSW Health Customer Hygiene Posters: Link
- Queensland Health Water Safety Display Resources: Link
- Victoria DHHS Pool Hygiene Notices: Link
Previous Resources from Royal Life Saving Australia
Royal Life Saving Australia has previously provided guidance on water quality risk management plans. For more information, refer to our article, When to do a Water Quality Risk Management Plan: Link.
Revising the Australian Standard for Swimming Pool Water Quality
Standards Australia has commenced a long-overdue review of the Australian Standard for Swimming Pool Water Quality (AS3633), with a kick-off meeting held in November. The standard revision aims to update this more than 30 year old standard view a view to modernise methods and requirements for maintaining sanitary water conditions.
While the current standard primarily addresses private swimming pools, a proposal has been tabled to expand its scope to include aquatic facilities of varying types and sizes including public and commercial pools. The expansion proposed by proponents seeks to harmonise approaches to public health protections in aquatic facilities across jurisdictions and reflect the common risks posed by contamination incidents.
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia (RLSSA) invites stakeholder input into this discussion and broadly supports the notion that every Australian is entitled to consistent and stringent health and safety standards when visiting their local pool.
A Call to Action
In light of the recent cryptosporidiosis outbreaks and the onset of summer, it is crucial for aquatic facility owners and operators to prioritise water quality risk management over summer (and beyond).
Adhering to the respective state or territory guidelines and contributing to the national standard review will collectively enhance public health outcomes and ensure a safer environment for all patrons.
As always, Royal Life Saving Australia encourages you to review your water quality risk management plans, update customer-facing resources, and take proactive steps to safeguard your community this summer.
Further Questions
Please contact aquatics@rlssa.org.au should you have any feedback on the proposed scope of the Australian Standard.
