SECTION 265.193. Water Quality at Pools and Spas

(a) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration. A sanitizer, disinfectant, or other chemical used to disinfect or sanitize the pool or spa water must be EPA-registered for use in pools and spas under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

(b) Algae. Pools and spas must be treated to eliminate algae in order to prevent creation of a slip hazard, to prevent the water from becoming cloudy reducing visibility in the pool or spa, and to prevent uncontrolled growth of algae that could harbor pathogens.

(c) Required chemical levels. Water quality for a pool or spa must meet the following criteria when the pool or spa is open for use. The water quality parameters in Figure: 25 TAC §265.193(c) apply to both pools and spas unless otherwise indicated.

Attached Graphic

(d) Cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid and stabilized chlorine such as dichlor, must not be used in any indoor pool or spa or in therapy pools.

(e) Water clarity. Water clarity must be sufficient such that an 8-inch black disk or Secchi disk on the floor at the deepest part of the pool can be clearly and immediately seen by an observer on the water surface above the disk or by someone standing on the deck closest to the disk.

(f) Reliable means of water testing required. A reliable means of testing for pH, free and total (combined) chlorine, bromine, cyanuric acid, alkalinity, and calcium hardness to minimum and maximum levels and levels in between, must be provided and available for the pool operator at the pool or spa when the pool or spa is open for use.

(g) DPD chemical test. Free available chlorine levels and bromine levels must be determined using the DPD testing method.

(h) ORP reading frequency. ORP readings must be recorded at the same time required sanitizer and pH tests are performed where in-line ORP meters are used. The date and the mV level must be recorded in the required pool or spa logs required in this section.

(i) Storage of test kits and reagents. Test kits and reagents must be stored according to the manufacturer's instructions and protected from extreme heat and cold and from exposure to water, chemicals, petroleum products, or any other element or environment that could adversely affect the efficacy of water quality test results.

(j) Accuracy of test reagents. Testing reagents must be changed at frequencies recommended by the manufacturer to ensure accuracy of the tests.

(k) Chemical balance. Water in the pool or spa must be chemically balanced. Testing methods to determine the chemical balance of the water in the pool or spa, such as the Langelier Saturation Index, must be conducted at least once every 10 days while the pool or spa is open. The date of the test and the results of the testing and any adjustments made to the pool or spa to correct water quality must be recorded in the required pool or spa logs required in this section. Logs must be made available upon request. If logs are not kept on-site, logs must be provided to DSHS or local regulatory authority within five business days of the request.

(l) Water monitoring records of public pools and spas. A record of all pool and spa water chemical testing must be recorded in a pool or spa log, either electronically or manually in a logbook, and must be made available upon request. If logs are not kept on-site, logs must be provided to DSHS or local regulatory authority within five business days of the request. Records shall be maintained for a minimum of three years and must include:

(1) if multiple pools or spas on-site, identification of the pool or spa tested;

(2) date and time of testing;

(3) chemical levels as required in Figure: 25 TAC §265.193(c) in accordance with the testing schedule requirements in subsection (o) of this section;

(4) mV of ORP meter where applicable; and

(5) any action taken to correct chemical readings including addition of sanitizer, algaecide, or chemical to correct pH and tests to ensure chemical levels return to required levels, closure of the pool or spa, formed stool or diarrhea in a pool or spa and remedial actions taken as a result, or any other significant action taken which impacts pool and spa water quality.

(m) Skimmers. Skimmers must not be used for dispensing chemicals into the pool or spa.

(n) Off-season circulation system operation. When an outdoor pool or spa is not in use for an extended period of time (such as off-season), clarity must be maintained. Circulation rates must provide acceptable water clarity as required in this section.

(o) Testing frequency and record keeping when pools and spas are open for use.

(1) When Class A and Class B pools and spas are open for use:

(A) Tests for disinfectant levels and pH must be made and recorded in pool or spa logs every two hours.

(B) If a system is used to automatically control disinfectant and pH, tests for disinfectant level and pH must be performed and the results recorded in the pool or spa logs at least three times per day and a reading of the automatic control device must also be made and recorded in the pool or spa logs.

(C) Where cyanuric acid is used either in stabilized chlorine or used as needed, tests for cyanuric acid levels must be performed once each week and the results recorded in the pool or spa log.

(2) Class C pools and spas that have on-site staff primarily responsible for pool and spa operations, such as lifeguards, must be tested for disinfectant levels and pH a minimum of three times a day. Results of the testing must be recorded in pool or spa logs.

(A) If a system is used to automatically control disinfectant and pH, testing for disinfectant level and pH must be performed and the results recorded a minimum of once a day and a reading of the automatic control device must also be made and the results recorded in the pool or spa log.

(B) Where cyanuric acid is used either in stabilized chlorine or as needed, tests for levels of cyanuric acid must be performed once each week and the results recorded in the pool or spa log.

(3) Class C pools and spas that do not have on-site staff primarily responsible for pool and spa operations, such as lifeguards, must be tested for disinfectant levels and pH a minimum of one time a day and the results must be recorded in the pool or spa log.

(A) If a system is used to control disinfectant and pH electronically, and the system has the ability to record and transmit the mV level or free chlorine level and pH to the trained and certified operator once a day, sanitizer level and pH must be measured once each week using a test kit and recorded in the pool or spa log.

(B) A reading of the automatic control device must also be recorded at the same time the sanitizer level and pH are measured using the test kit and recorded in the pool or spa log.

(C) Where cyanuric acid is used either in stabilized chlorine or as needed, tests for levels of cyanuric acid must also be performed once each week and the results recorded in the pool or spa log.

(4) Other required tests for pools and spas. Tests for alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chemical balance must be performed at least once every 10 days, or more often, if necessary, to maintain required water quality parameters in subsection (c) of this section and water clarity requirements in subsection (e) of this section. Results of the tests must be recorded in the pool or spa log.

(5) Records of all testing of the pool and spa water must be maintained for at least three years and be available or made available upon request by DSHS or local regulatory authority. If records are stored off-site, they must be provided within five business days.

(p) Cyanuric acid levels must not exceed 100 ppm. Whenever cyanuric acid levels exceed 100 ppm the following is required.

(1) Sanitizer level must be raised to 2.0 ppm free available chlorine and maintained at that level until the cyanuric acid level drops to less than 100 ppm.

(2) Sanitizer level, pH, and cyanuric acid levels must be measured and recorded at least once a day in the pool or spa log until the cyanuric acid level drops below 100 ppm.

(3) Records of cyanuric acid levels exceeding 100 ppm and actions taken to return those levels to at or below the allowable maximum must be recorded in the pool or spa log.

(q) Clarifiers, flocculants, and defoamers.

(1) Clarifiers, flocculants, and defoamers must be used per manufacturer's instructions and must not create a hazardous condition, compromise disinfectant efficacy, or interfere with other water quality measures in Figure: 25 TAC §265.193(c).

(2) Clarifiers, flocculants, defoamers, and any other chemical used in a pool or spa must be certified, listed, and labeled to either NSF Standard 50 or NSF Standard 60.

(r) Chemical feed equipment. All chemical feed equipment must be maintained in good working condition at all times.

Source Note: The provisions of this §265.193 adopted to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 8668