SWIMMING POOL OPERATOR
CERTIFICATION
iFirst step of fecal accident procedure - Direct all bathers to leave the pool. All affected waters must be
closed to swimming until proper procedures for contamination have been completed
Second step of fecal accident procedure - Manually remove as much of the material as possible using a
net or scoop and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. Clean and disinfect the scoop or net. After cleaning
leave the net or scoop immersed in the pool during this infection. Vacuuming the stool is not allowed.
Establish a fecal accident log documenting....? - (1) the date and time of the event
(2) if the accident is a result of a form stools or diarrhea
(3) The free available chlorine concentration at the time or observation of the event and before opening
the public pool
(4) The pH
(5) The procedures followed to respond to the fecal accident including the process used to increase free
chlorine residual if necessary
(6) The contact time
Procedures for form stool that is solid and not liquid - Raise the free available chlorine level to 2 ppm and
ensure that the pH is between 7.2 and 7.5
Maintain the chlorine concentration for at least 25 minutes. Ensure this concentration is found
throughout all waters by sampling at least three widely spaced locations away from return outlets
Procedures for diarrhea liquid or non-form stools - Raise the free available chlorine level two 20 ppm and
ensure that the pH is between 7.2 and 7.5
Maintain the chlorine concentration and pH for eight hours while ensuring that the filtration system is
operating. Backwash the filter thoroughly discharging the effluent directly to waste. Where appropriate
replace the filter media
Bathers may be allowed into pool after chlorine concentration has been returned to normal operating
ranges
Acid demand - The amount of acid required to reduce pH and alkalinity to the correct range
Algae - Microscopic plant like organisms that grow in water do to warm temperatures and in adequate
sanitizer. Algae can be green blue green black or yellow green (mustard).
Alkalinity - A measure of the ability of pool water to resist changes in pH. Buffering capacity of water.
, Balanced water - The correct ratio of hardness, alkalinity, temperature, dissolved solids, and pH that
prevent pool water from being either corrosive or scale forming
Bromine - A chemical element that exists as a liquid in its elemental form or as part of a chemical
compound that is an oxidant and a biocidal agent used to disinfect pool, spa and hot tub water.
Bromamine - Bromine-ammonia compounds formed when the bromine in the water combines with
ammonia, nitrogen or swimmer or bather waste. Unlike Chloramines they do not smell or irritate the
body. They are active sanitizers.
Calcium hardness - The amount of dissolved calcium in the pool. High levels promote scale and cloudy
water. Low levels promote corrosion of the pool or spa equipment.
Cavitation - Formation of partial vacuums when the pump exceeds the water supply
Chlorine - A chemical element that exists as a gas in its elemental form or as a part of a chemical
compound that is an oxidant and a biocidal agent used in pool, spa, and hot tub disinfection
Chlorine demand - The amount of chlorine necessary to destroy the germs, algae, and other impurities in
the water. Demand refers to the amount required before chlorine can be made available to continue
sanitizing the pool, spa, or hot tub water.
Chloramines - A compound formed when chlorine combines with ammonia, nitrogen, or swimmer or
bather wastes. They cause eye and skin irritation, and they have a strong objectionable odor.
Chlorine residual - The amount of measurable chlorine remaining after treating water with chlorine to
disinfect and oxidize contaminants. It may also be explained as the amount of chlorine left after
satisfying the chlorine demand.
Free available chlorine (FAC) - The portion of total chlorine remaining in chlorinated water that is not
combined with ammonia or nitrogen compounds and will react chemically with undesirable or disease
causing organisms
Conditioner - Also called cyanuric acid, stabilizer, Isocyanuric acid and Triazinetrione-A chemical that
helps reduce the excessive loss of chlorine in water due to ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Copper - Metallic element that forms compounds causing green or blue green water, green or blue green
stains in pool or spa surfaces and green hair or blue fingernails on swimmers and bathers.
Cross connection - An unprotected connection between a domestic water supply and the pool.
Protective devices must be used to eliminate possible contamination.
DPD - (Diethel-P-Phenylene Diamine) A reagent and test method that specifically measures the free
available chlorine and total chlorine. It produces a series of colors from pink to red.
Flow meter - A device that measures pressure differential across a calibrated orifice and indicates a rate
of flow at that point usually given in gallons per minutes
Hard water - Water that has a high level of calcium and magnesium dissolved in it
CERTIFICATION
iFirst step of fecal accident procedure - Direct all bathers to leave the pool. All affected waters must be
closed to swimming until proper procedures for contamination have been completed
Second step of fecal accident procedure - Manually remove as much of the material as possible using a
net or scoop and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. Clean and disinfect the scoop or net. After cleaning
leave the net or scoop immersed in the pool during this infection. Vacuuming the stool is not allowed.
Establish a fecal accident log documenting....? - (1) the date and time of the event
(2) if the accident is a result of a form stools or diarrhea
(3) The free available chlorine concentration at the time or observation of the event and before opening
the public pool
(4) The pH
(5) The procedures followed to respond to the fecal accident including the process used to increase free
chlorine residual if necessary
(6) The contact time
Procedures for form stool that is solid and not liquid - Raise the free available chlorine level to 2 ppm and
ensure that the pH is between 7.2 and 7.5
Maintain the chlorine concentration for at least 25 minutes. Ensure this concentration is found
throughout all waters by sampling at least three widely spaced locations away from return outlets
Procedures for diarrhea liquid or non-form stools - Raise the free available chlorine level two 20 ppm and
ensure that the pH is between 7.2 and 7.5
Maintain the chlorine concentration and pH for eight hours while ensuring that the filtration system is
operating. Backwash the filter thoroughly discharging the effluent directly to waste. Where appropriate
replace the filter media
Bathers may be allowed into pool after chlorine concentration has been returned to normal operating
ranges
Acid demand - The amount of acid required to reduce pH and alkalinity to the correct range
Algae - Microscopic plant like organisms that grow in water do to warm temperatures and in adequate
sanitizer. Algae can be green blue green black or yellow green (mustard).
Alkalinity - A measure of the ability of pool water to resist changes in pH. Buffering capacity of water.
, Balanced water - The correct ratio of hardness, alkalinity, temperature, dissolved solids, and pH that
prevent pool water from being either corrosive or scale forming
Bromine - A chemical element that exists as a liquid in its elemental form or as part of a chemical
compound that is an oxidant and a biocidal agent used to disinfect pool, spa and hot tub water.
Bromamine - Bromine-ammonia compounds formed when the bromine in the water combines with
ammonia, nitrogen or swimmer or bather waste. Unlike Chloramines they do not smell or irritate the
body. They are active sanitizers.
Calcium hardness - The amount of dissolved calcium in the pool. High levels promote scale and cloudy
water. Low levels promote corrosion of the pool or spa equipment.
Cavitation - Formation of partial vacuums when the pump exceeds the water supply
Chlorine - A chemical element that exists as a gas in its elemental form or as a part of a chemical
compound that is an oxidant and a biocidal agent used in pool, spa, and hot tub disinfection
Chlorine demand - The amount of chlorine necessary to destroy the germs, algae, and other impurities in
the water. Demand refers to the amount required before chlorine can be made available to continue
sanitizing the pool, spa, or hot tub water.
Chloramines - A compound formed when chlorine combines with ammonia, nitrogen, or swimmer or
bather wastes. They cause eye and skin irritation, and they have a strong objectionable odor.
Chlorine residual - The amount of measurable chlorine remaining after treating water with chlorine to
disinfect and oxidize contaminants. It may also be explained as the amount of chlorine left after
satisfying the chlorine demand.
Free available chlorine (FAC) - The portion of total chlorine remaining in chlorinated water that is not
combined with ammonia or nitrogen compounds and will react chemically with undesirable or disease
causing organisms
Conditioner - Also called cyanuric acid, stabilizer, Isocyanuric acid and Triazinetrione-A chemical that
helps reduce the excessive loss of chlorine in water due to ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Copper - Metallic element that forms compounds causing green or blue green water, green or blue green
stains in pool or spa surfaces and green hair or blue fingernails on swimmers and bathers.
Cross connection - An unprotected connection between a domestic water supply and the pool.
Protective devices must be used to eliminate possible contamination.
DPD - (Diethel-P-Phenylene Diamine) A reagent and test method that specifically measures the free
available chlorine and total chlorine. It produces a series of colors from pink to red.
Flow meter - A device that measures pressure differential across a calibrated orifice and indicates a rate
of flow at that point usually given in gallons per minutes
Hard water - Water that has a high level of calcium and magnesium dissolved in it
