Recreational Water Facilities

NOTE:  Certified Pool Operator Training Course Information, click here.

 

Recommendations for Private Residential Hot Tubs and Spas Usage

 

Regulations:

64-CSR-16, Recreational Water Facilities Rule was updated and passed during the 2007 legislative session.  The Rule became effective on April 18, 2007.  This Rule repeals the July 1, 2002, Rule. 

To obtain a copy of the new Recreational Water Facilities Rule (64 CSR 16):

Go to the West Virginia Secretary of State's web site
Scroll to the bottom of the page
Select either MS Word or WordPerfect format to download the Rule

The Rule incorporates, but does not include a copy of, the

• ANSI/NSPI-1 2003 Public Swimming Pools Design Standards, and
• ANSI/NSPI-2 1999 Public Spas Design Standards 
• ANSI/APSP-7 2006 National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins
• ANSI/IAF-9 2005 Public Water Parks Design Standards

These standards are available through the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, or directly from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

If you are unable to obtain these exact standards, please contact the Office of Environmental Health Services District Office that covers your area, or your Local Health Department.

 

Permitting:

Recreational Water Facilities are permitted and inspected by the Local Health Departments in each county. 
If you have any questions about the Rule or permit requirements, contact your Local Health Department.

A Recreational Water Facility is defined as:

A body of water, under the control of a person, that has been modified, improved, constructed or installed for the purpose of public swimming or bathing.  It includes, but is not limited to:

bathing beaches; swimming, wading, and diving pools; water slides, spray pools, lazy rivers, wave pools; spas, hot tubs, therapeutic pools, hydrotherapy pools, and whirlpools; facilities operated by communities, subdivisions, apartment complexes, condominiums, clubs, camps, schools, institutions, parks, mobile home parks, hotels, and similar recreational and public facilities.

A recreational water facility does not include a private residential swimming pool as defined in this rule.

The Rule requires that all Recreational Water Facilities, except bathing beaches, have a qualified water facility operator available for consultation at all times the facility is open for use. 

The following requirements define available for consultation.

1. Available by telephone within thirty (30) minutes,
2. Available on-site within sixty (60) minutes of notification, and
3. Visits the facility a minimum of one (1) time per week during the period of operation

To become a qualified water facility operator the individual must pass a recognized certification course and must keep the certification up to date.
 

 

Approved Operator Training Courses:

• Aquatic Facility Operator Certification Course - National Recreation and Park Association
  Certification is valid for three (3) years.

• Certified Pool Operator Course - National Swimming Pool Foundation 
  Certification is valid for five (5) years.

• Commercial Pool Technician - Aquatic Training Institute*
  Certification is valid for five (5) years.

• Hybrid Certified Pool Operator Course - National Swimming Pool Foundation**
  Certification is valid for five (5) years.

• Licensed Aquatic Facility Technician - American Swimming Pool and Spa Association
  Certification is valid for five (5) years.

* Requires the completion of a West Virginia-specific course addendum and exam
** Online course that requires attendance of a 1 day class

Other courses may be considered for approval.  Please contact Fred Barley, phone (304) 558-8458, to discuss having course reviewed for approval.

 

 

Approved Lifeguard Certification Courses:

• American Red Cross

• Boys Scouts of America

• International Lifeguard Training Program* (ILTP™)
  *Formerly Ellis and Associates: International Pool & Waterpark Lifeguard Training Program

• National Aquatic Safety Company (NASCO): Lifeguard Certification Program

• StarGuard - Starfish Aquatics Institute

• YMCA

 

Recreational Water Facilities Forms:

• ER-32 - Facility Weekly Operational Report

• SG-49 - Application for a permit to operate

• SR-153 - Recreational Water Facility Tables
    (Guidelines covering: Closure Events, Required Life Guards, & Water Quality)

• SR-160:  Recreational Water Facilities Rule

 

Recreational Water Facilities Links

• CDC - Healthy Swimming

  • Fecal Accident Response Recommendations for Pool Staff