Law Summary
Definitions of Key Terms
- Terms defined include back drain, bathhouse, bathing load, backwashing, department, diatomaceous earth filters, establishment, fill and draw pool, health certificate, lifeguard, local government unit, natural bathing places, operator, private vs public swimming pools, recirculation pools, sanitation inspector, sanitary permit, septic, skimmer, swimming pool, vermin, wading pool, among others.
- Emphasizes operator as owner/manager/permit holder.
- Defines sanitary permit and health certificate.
Sanitary Requirements for Operation
- Public swimming or bathing places require a sanitary permit issued by local health officer.
- New construction or modifications require new permit applications.
- Applications must be supported by sanitary inspection reports.
- Permits valid until December 31 each year; renewal required annually.
- Permits may be suspended or revoked for sanitary violations.
- Records of permits must be maintained by local governments.
General Sanitary Requirements
- Water supply to comply with national standards; protected from backflow.
- Food handling must comply with sanitation code.
- Sewage and drainage systems must prevent contamination of pool water; air gaps mandatory to prevent sewage backflow.
- Separate dressing rooms for each gender; facilities must be moisture-proof, cleanable, and vermin-proof.
- Adequate toilets, urinals, lavatories, showers as per calculated bathing load.
- Refuse shall be segregated, vermin-proof, cleaned regularly; burying or dumping waste in bathing areas prohibited.
- Vermin abatement programs mandatory, enforced by local health agencies.
Specific Sanitary Requirements for Bathing Accessories
- Rented suits, towels, linens must be washed, rinsed, boiled, and dried after each use.
- Clean and used articles must be stored separately to prevent contamination.
Structural Requirements
- Location subject to zoning laws or local government approval.
- Pools must be designed to minimize airborne contamination and comply with setbacks.
- Construction plans must be submitted and approved before building or renovation.
- Pools must use durable, non-toxic, impermeable materials with smooth finishes without cracks.
- Structural stability certified by engineer; complete water circulation mandatory.
- Minimum pool depth 91 cm (3 feet), with child areas demarcated.
- Depth markings on pool edges and walls mandatory.
- Specifications for inlets, outlets, slopes, walls, gutters, skimmers detailed.
- Recirculation systems required, with specified turnover rates and filter requirements.
- User loading and bathers capacity requirements specified.
Safety Precautions
- Qualified supervisors and lifeguards required during operation.
- Lifesaving equipment with specific standards must be available and maintained.
- Safety signage including warning of no lifeguard and required adult supervision for children posted.
- Emergency first aid kits and designated emergency care areas required.
- Daily maintenance logs on pool chemical levels and operational data mandatory.
- Restrictions on rough play, food, liquor, and intoxicated persons enforced.
Water Quality Standards
- Chlorine residuals must be maintained between 0.50 and 1.0 ppm.
- pH must be maintained between 7.4 and 7.8.
- Water clarity must allow visibility of a 15 cm black and white disk at pool bottom.
- Bacteriological limits specified with sampling requirements.
- Natural bodies of water must meet environmental regulatory water quality standards.
Bather Requirements
- Mandatory showering with soap before entering pool.
- Prohibition of use by persons with communicable diseases or open wounds.
- No spitting, blowing nose, or other unhygienic behaviors allowed in pool.
- Proper swimming attire required.
Personnel Requirements
- Employment requires updated health certificate renewed annually.
- Certificates must be visibly clipped on employee clothing.
Inspection and Evaluation
- Local health officers to conduct at least quarterly inspections.
- Sanitation scales from Excellent (90-100%) to Satisfactory (50-69%), with below 50% leading to suspension.
- Inspection reports and orders communicated promptly to operators.
- Re-inspection and permit revocation procedures detailed.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Operators must maintain sanitation standards, records, and report incidents.
- Local Health Authorities and Officers enforce compliance, conduct inspections, issue permits, and coordinate with other agencies.
Penalties
- Violations punishable by imprisonment up to six months, fines up to Php1,000, or both.
- Obstruction of health officers or mutilation of placards also punishable.
Legal Provisions
- Separability of provisions ensured.
- Repeals inconsistent prior rules.
- Effectivity upon publication and after fifteen days.
This comprehensive framework ensures the health, safety, and sanitation standards in public swimming and bathing establishments throughout the Philippines are met and enforced effectively.