A. Cleanliness of Pool/Spa. Floating scum, sputum or debris shall not be allowed to accumulate in the pool. Water levels in pools shall be maintained and operated to remove such material continuously. The bottom and sides of the pool shall be cleaned as often as necessary to maintain a condition of cleanliness. The sides and bottom of pools, decks and other surfaces shall be kept free of slime and algae. Procedures for disinfection and management of fecal accidents are located in Appendix D.

B. Cleaning and Maintenance of Pool/Spa and the Facility. All parts of the pool/spa and related pool/spa facilities and equipment shall be maintained in good repair. Floors shall be kept free from cracks and other defects. Walls, ceilings, partitions, doors, lockers and similar surfaces and equipment shall be refinished as often as necessary to be kept in a state of good repair. Pool/spa surfaces including but not limited to tile, plaster and/or paint shall be maintained in good repair.

C. Operational Records. Operational records shall be kept on forms provided by the Department. Records shall be retained by the pool owner/manager for review upon request by the Department. Such mandatory records include but not limited to: Swimming Pool Operational Records and Report of Accident or Drowning at Pools, Spas, etc. Recommended documentation includes: Record of Pool Contamination Incident, Employee MSDS Training. (see Appendix for form copies)

D. Inspections. At all reasonable times, representatives of the Department shall have access to, and are hereby empowered to enter the premises of any public pool or other related facility and to make inspections to determine whether the provisions of these Rules and Regulations of the Department are being complied with.

Results of inspections shall be recorded on Department forms which summarize the requirements of these Rules and Regulations. The completed inspection report shall specify a reasonable period of time for correction of any violation found.

All violations of critical items shall be corrected within 10 days following the inspection. A follow-up inspection will be conducted to insure compliance.

All other items should be corrected as soon as possible, but in any event by the time of the next routine inspection unless the violation involves construction as addressed in Section XXIV, Existing pools/Spas.

Any public pool is to be closed by the owner whenever the following conditions exist:

In the case of voluntary pool closure, one or more signs shall be posted conspicuously stating “Pool Closed” or “No Swimming” or similar language.

When the owner fails to close a facility, the Department shall close the facility and post “CLOSED” sign(s). When closed by the Department, the facility shall not reopen until an inspection has been conducted by the Department indicating compliance.

F. Communicable Disease. No person suffering from an open cut, rash, skin lesion, or any skin disease or any possible communicable disease transmitted via water shall be permitted to patronize the pool. No person having a communicable disease shall work at any pool in a function in which there is a likelihood that they will transmit the disease to any other person.

G. Bather Clothing. Only clothing designed for use in swimming shall be allowed in the pool. Cutoffs shall not be worn in the pool unless hemmed. Street shoes are not allowed in the water. Children should not be allowed in the pool or wading pool with disposable diapers unless covered with plastic pants.

H. Facility Closure or Abandonment. A pool or other related facility for which no operation permit is in effect and which is not in use for two (2) weeks or longer shall be covered, drained, or maintained by the owner in a condition which prevents creating a hazard to health or safety. If drained, care should be taken to ensure that the facility is not damaged by subsurface hydro-static pressure and that access by animals and humans is restricted.

If a public swimming pool/spa is to be permanently closed, the pool/spa shall be filled in or removed and the water and drainage connections removed. Written notification must be made to the Department. Any public swimming pool/spa left in a state of disrepair or out of service for more than one (1) swimming season shall be drained and secured so as to not create an imminent health hazard or nuisance.

I. Food Service Operations. Any food service operations conducted at the pool facility shall meet the current Arkansas Department of Health Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments.

J. Winterizing. All equipment shall be properly winterized, if and when the pool/spa is closed for operation at the end of the season. When the pool/spa is closed all gates shall be locked. A means to completely drain all piping and equipment shall be provided.

K. Transfer of Ownership. Each holder of a permit for operation shall notify the Department in writing upon sale, lease, or other transfer of responsibility for the facility and shall supply the Department with the name and address of the new owner/operator.