Public Swimming Pools & Bathing Places

The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County (DOH-Indian River) has authority under Chapter 514, Florida Statutes (F.S.) for inspection and monitoring of water quality and safety for all public pools. The use of Chapter 64E-9, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) allows the department to inspect these facilities for sanitation and safety standards. These facilities are sources of family enjoyment in Florida, and the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, they can also be sources of waterborne disease.

Inspections
DOH-Indian River permits and inspects approximately 350 public swimming pools, spas, wading pools, interactive water features or special water park attractions at least twice a year.

Public pools may be located at apartment complexes, condominiums, motels, hotels, mobile home RV parks, assisted living facilities or other recreational complexes.

Bathing Places
Bathing places are typically fresh water lakes and are monitored on a monthly basis for bacteriological water quality. These facilities are no longer permitted or inspected by the Florida Department of Health.

What is the process with the Department of Health when there is construction or modification of a public pool?
As of October 1, 2014, there is a new process to follow with submission of pool plans to DOH-Indian River and the local building department authority.

Owners must apply for and receive a Florida Department of Health annual operating permit before the pool is opened for operation.

• Public Pool Permitting Procedures
• Pool Resurfacing Notification
• Notification of Modification
• Pool or Spa Main Drain Grate/Cover Retrofits

For more information and downloadable forms on the pool and spa program, please visit the Florida Department of Health Swimming Pools webpage.

How do I become a certified pool technician to operate and maintain a public pool?
An individual who services a public pool by maintaining the cleanliness, water quality and chemical balance of public pools shall be certified. To be certified, an individual must demonstrate knowledge of public pools. Examples of such knowledge include: pool cleaning, general pool maintenance, make-up water supply, bacteriological, chemical and physical quality of water and water purification, testing, treatment, and disinfection procedures. To ensure that the pool technicians are knowledgeable, said technician shall attend a training course of national recognition that is approved by the department of at least 16 hours in length and shall pass a test acceptable to the department.

List of Public Pool Service Technician Certification Courses Approved by Florida Department of Health

If I am a certified pool technician, can I do repairs on public swimming pools?
A certified pool technician can maintain the cleanliness, water quality and chemical balance of public pools. You are only certified, not licensed. The certification is also only good on the individual and does not act as an umbrella over your entire company. Thus, each individual in your company servicing public pools has to be individually certified.

A pool operator or pool service company that wants to do repairs on a public pool then must be a Florida licensed swimming pool contractor. You can obtain more information regarding licensure on the Florida Department of Health Department of Business & Professional Regulations (DBPR) What Services Require a DBPR License webpage.

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