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(1) Approved. A test kit of a type approved by the department shall be maintained for testing the pool water pH; the disinfectant or sanitizer residual; the combined chlorine level, when chlorine is used; the total alkalinity; and the cyanuric acid concentration. The test kits shall meet the following specifications, as described in s. ATCP 76.17 Table A. Pf
s. ATCP 76.17 Table A Required Test Kit Accuracy
and Increment
- See PDF for table PDF
(2) Test reagents use and storage. Test kit reagents shall meet all of the following:
(a) Stored. Stored in the original container or per manufacturer directions. Pf
(b) Replaced. Replaced as recommended by the manufacturer. Pf
(c) Temperature range. Stored within the temperature range specified by the manufacturer for storage. Pf
(d) Use. Used and properly disposed of before the expiration date. Pf
(3) Testing reagent technologies. The disinfectant or sanitizer testing reagent shall use one of the following technologies:
(a) Method. Diethyl–p–phenylene diamine or DPD in powder or liquid form. A test kit using the titrimetric method, ferrous ammonium sulfate and diethyl–p–phenylene diamine or FAS-DPD for chlorine and bromine testing and colorimetric comparators used for additional water testing shall be approved by the department and shall provide for accurate comparison in the required range for each test pursuant to s. ATCP 76.14 Table A.Pf
(b) Alternatives. Other photometric, electronic, or other technology that achieves the accuracy as described in s. ATCP 76.17 Table A, and measures analytes within the range pursuant to s. ATCP 76.14 Table A. Pf
History: CR 22-021: cr. Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 9-24-23.
ATCP 76.18 Water testing frequency.
(1) All pools, except whirlpools, therapy, and excercise pools.
(a) pH and disinfectant or sanitizer. Except as provided under sub. (3), water shall be tested for pH and disinfectant or sanitizer residual at the following times:
1. Daily before the pool is open to the public or before the pool is in use. Pf
2. At least one other time during the day’s peak patron load.Pf
(b) Combined chlorine. If chlorine is used, the water shall also be tested at least twice a week for the combined chlorine level. Pf
(c) Alkalinity. Water shall also be tested at least once a week for total alkalinity. Pf
(d) Cyanuric acid. If cyanuric acid is used in the water basin, the cyanuric acid concentration in the water shall be tested at least once a week. Pf
(2) Whirpool, therapy, and exercise pools.
(a) pH and disinfectant or sanitizer. Except as provided under sub. (3), water shall be tested for pH and disinfectant or sanitizer residual at the following times:
1. Before the pool is open to the public or before the pool is in use and at least 4 times daily. Pf
2. Two of the tests shall be during the day’s peak patron load.Pf
(b) Combined chlorine. When chlorine is used, the water shall be tested at least once daily for the combined chlorine level. Pf
(c) Alkalinity. Water shall be tested at least once a week for total alkalinity. Pf
(d) Cyanuric acid. When cyanuric acid is used in the water basin, the cyanuric acid concentration in the water shall be tested at least once a week. Pf
(3) Electronic monitoring device. For a properly maintained electronic monitoring device installed to control pH and disinfectant or sanitizer, the operator shall:
(a) Frequency. Manually tested the pool at least once a day for pH and disinfectant or sanitizer residual with an approved test kit pursuant to s. ATCP 76.17 Table A. Pf
(b) Maintenance. Periodically monitor the device to determine if it meets operating criteria pursuant to s. ATCP 76.14 (5). Pf
(4) Increased testing. The department or its agent may require more frequent testing if the testing logs are not maintained and the operator demonstrates a lack of active managerial control.Pf
History: CR 22-021: cr. Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 9-24-23.
ATCP 76.19 Water supply and temperature.
(1) Water supply protection. A minimum air gap of 2 pipe diameters or 6 inches, whichever is less, shall exist between the potable water supply inlet and the overflow point of any pool, makeup tank, surge tank, solution tank, or slurry tank unless another approved backflow and backsiphonage prevention device is provided. P
(2) Water source. The water supplied to a pool shall be from a source approved by the Wisconsin department of natural resources pursuant to ch. NR 108, 811, or 812. P
(3) Water level. Proper water level shall be maintained at all times when the pool is open. Pf
(a) Skimmers. Water levels in pools with skimmers shall be maintained at a level such that the weir is half submerged or in the case of a floating weir, used according to manufacturer’s directions. Pf
(b) Gutters. Pools designed with gutters shall have a continuous water supply over the gutter to provide effective skimming. Pf
(4) Water temperature.
(a) Thermometer accuracy and location.
1. An accurate thermometer shall be located in the pool water return line. Pf
2. The thermometer shall be accessible for observation by the operator. Pf
(b) Pool water temperature.
1. Except as provided in par. (d), the water temperature of an indoor pool shall be between 70°F or 21°C and 90°F or 32°C. P
2. The minimum water temperature for an outdoor pool shall be 65°F or 18°C. P
(c) Whirlpool water temperature. The water temperature in a whirlpool shall be greater than 90°F or 32°C, and may not exceed 104°F or 40°C. P
(d) Cold soak pool water temperature.
1. Cold soak pools may be operated at a lower temperature than specified under par. (b).
2. The pool shall post the water temperature on signage pursuant to s. ATCP 76.29 (5). Pf
History: CR 22-021: cr. Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 9-24-23.
Subchapter IV — Staffing Pools
ATCP 76.20 Operator.
(1) Pools.
(a) General requirement. Each pool shall be under the supervision of at least one operator, except that if multiple pools are located on the same premise, and licensed by the same person, they may be supervised by one operator. Pf
(b) Operator responsibilities. Each operator shall be responsible for pool operation and maintenance including equipment shut-down, backwashing, daily maintenance and vacuuming, and maintenance of water quality pursuant to ch. ATCP 76. Pf
(2) Pool operator certification.
(a) Pool operator certification required.
1. Each water attraction or multiple water attractions on the same premise shall have at least one certified operator.Pf
2. An owner of a pool who demonstrates a lack of active managerial control over the pool operation by having 2 or more reinspections in a 3-year period is required to have a certified operator. Pf
3. Pool operator certification for a water attraction shall be obtained within 90 days of receiving a new license or a pool meeting the conditions under subd. 2. Pf
a. A pool that is required to have a certified operator under subd. 2, may contract with a certified operator.
b. The certified operator shall be able to respond within 3 hours.
4. The owner of a pool shall replace a certified operator within 90 days after a certified operator’s departure. Pf
(b) Certified operator duties. A certified operator is responsible for all of the following:
1. The certified operator will perform service related to water quality parameters pursuant to ss. ATCP 76.14, 76.16, and 76.19.
2. The certified operator shall ensure that equipment is properly functioning pursuant to ss. ATCP 76.11, 76.13, 76.15, and 76.17.
(c) Documentation of certification. A current copy of the certified operator’s certification shall be maintained at the pool. Pf
History: CR 22-021: cr. Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 9-24-23.
ATCP 76.21 Responsible supervisor.
(1) Responsibilities.
(a) Supervision. Each pool shall be under the supervision of at least one responsible supervisor at all times when the pool is in use or is open to the public. P
(b) Availability. The responsible supervisor shall be on the premises or immediately available via a phone number posted by the emergency phone and shall respond to an unsafe or unsanitary condition within 15 minutes, at any time the pool is open for use.P
(c) Duties. The responsible supervisor shall ensure all of the following:
1. Order is maintained. P
2. Safety and rescue equipment is in place. P
3. Pool use regulations are enforced. P
4. Sanitation and water testing is performed. P
5. Monthly interlock testing is performed.
6. Monthly secondary anti-entrapment device testing is performed, if applicable. P
7. Records are maintained. P
8. Chemical safety training is provided to staff. P
9. The rope separating the shallow and deep portions of the pool is in place during required times. P
10. The pool is closed pursuant to s. ATCP 76.30. P
11. A pool cover or blanket, if provided, does not pose a safety hazard to patrons. P
History: CR 22-021: cr. Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 9-24-23.
ATCP 76.22 Lifeguards and attendants.
(1) Lifeguard and attendant staffing plans. A pool that is not required to have an attendant or lifeguard is not required to have a lifeguard or attendant staffing plan.
(a) Staffing plan requirements. The owner or operator of a pool, including a whirlpool over 4 feet deep and a pool with a visual obstruction, shall have a written lifeguard and attendant staffing plan. Pf
(b) Plan criteria. The written lifeguard and attendant staffing plan shall include all of the following:
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Published under s. 35.93, Stats. Updated on the first day of each month. Entire code is always current. The Register date on each page is the date the chapter was last published.