Attachment 7
Use The Model Aquatic Health Code to Make Swimming Healthy and Safe
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and partners — like state and local public health officials and industry experts — developed a Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC).
The MAHC is a free, evidence-based guidance document for local and state health professionals to make swimming and other water activities healthier and safer. Use the guidance to improve health and safety in:
Public swimming pools
Hot tubs and spas
Water parks
Other aquatic facilities
The MAHC guidelines address design, construction, operation, and maintenance requirements.
Why is the MAHC important?
Swimming is one of the nation’s most popular sporting activities. People in the United States make more than 300 million trips a year to pools and other places to swim, but some of these places aren’t clean or safe. A recent study found that 12% of inspected public pools were closed for serious violations.
You can help keep people safe by using the MAHC to inspect aquatic facilities and reduce:
Drowning. Accidental drowning is a leading cause of injury and death for children ages 1 to 14, second only to motor vehicle crashes.
Injuries and emergency room (ER) visits. More than 30,000 children under the age of 10 visit the ER for swimming-related issues each year. Injuries from pool chemicals account for more than 4,000 ER visits each year.
Waterborne illness outbreaks. These include stomach, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections resulting from exposure to contaminated swimming water.
Pool closings because of public health hazards.
How can I use the MAHC in my job?
Use the language in the MACH to update codes for swimming pools and other aquatic facilities.
Use the MAHC to incorporate science-based practices into your state and local pool programs – without having to recreate the wheel.
The MAHC is a guidance document – which means that you can decide how to use it (since it isn’t a federal law). For example you can use, change, and incorporate the whole MAHC or pieces of it into your state or local codes.
Where can I find more information about the MAHC?
Visit the Model Aquatic Health Code website to access MAHC language, scientific rational, and references. There are 12 MAHC modules on topics like:
Administering a Regulatory Pool Inspection Program
Monitoring and Testing
Designing and Constructing Aquatic Facilities
Check out these other sites for more information:
Will the MAHC change?
Yes. You’ll have regular opportunities to share your feedback so the MAHC can be updated, improved, and remain scientifically relevant.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Caroline Conena |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-28 |