What is an aquatic facility?
An aquatic facility is a man-made body of water used for sport, recreation or educational or therapeutic water activities, this includes:
- swimming pools
- spa pools
- river rides
- water slides
- water play grounds.
The Aquatic Facilities Regulations 2007 (external link) only apply to aquatic facilities available for public use, not domestic swimming pools.
Ensuring the safety of aquatic facilities
The Department of Health ensures the health and safety of staff and patrons using public aquatic facilities in WA by:
- monitoring risks to public health
- providing advice on relevant legislation
- providing advice on the causes of aquatic facility diseases and how to prevent them.
The Department’s core business functions in this area include:
- Review, maintain, manage and update the regulations and the Code, by considering emerging and innovative technologies, to minimise the risk of disease and injury.
- Monitor aquatic facilities, to ensure compliance and the enforcement of the Act, the Regulations and the Code.
- Analyse aquatic facility water sample results and provide advice to local government on ways to minimise pathogenic microbial activity and the risk to public health.
Code of Practice
Aquatic facilities are bound by the Code of Practice for the design, construction, operation, management and maintenance of aquatic facilities.
The Code was prepared to ensure that public aquatic facilities operate to a consistently high health and safety standard, by minimising the occurrence of disease, injury and other health-related complaints associated with their use.
March 2024 Amendments to the Code of Practice
The Code of Practice was amended in March 2024 based on industry and local government feedback. These changes have been summarised in the Code of Practice - Amendments Factsheet.
Water spray grounds and interactive water features
Mandatory requirements for water spray grounds and interactive water features are now detailed in the Water spray grounds and interactive water features; Application, design and operating requirements guideline January 2020 (PDF 400KB), which must be read in conjunction with the Code of Practice.
Aquatic facility guidelines
Resources
Fact sheets
More information
Environmental Health Directorate
Phone: (08) 9222 2000
Email: swimmingpools@health.wa.gov.au
Postal Address: PO Box 8172, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Last reviewed: 12-12-2023
Produced by
Environmental Health Directorate