Pools, Bathing Beaches, Spa and Therapy Pools

Scope

This policy applies to all water venues utilized by people such as: bathing beaches, swimming, spa, and therapy pools that are owned and/or operated by Indiana University.

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Policy Statement

The policy of Indiana University is to provide safe and sanitary bathing beaches, swimming, spa, and therapy pool environments and to minimize the risks associated with water venues. The primary method by which that is accomplished is through compliance with applicable regulations, including: Indiana Department of Health’s Title 410 IAC 6-2.1, Title 410 IAC 6-7.2, and Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security, Division of Fire Prevention and Building Safety, Title 675 IAC 20.

Water venues operated by Indiana University are regulated and inspected by University Environmental Health and Safety.

The bathing beach at Camp Brosius on Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin is subject to Wisconsin statute, Chapter DHS 254.46 Subchapter IV: Recreational Sanitation.

Some athletic therapy facilities are used as a drain and fill (single use) facility and are therefore not regulated by state rules.

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Reason for Policy

The reason for the policy is to minimize the risks associated with water venues including: water-borne illnesses, communicable diseases, chemical injuries and accidents, and other injuries.

Regulatory authority for water venues is derived from the administration of the Partnership Agreement between the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and Indiana University Environmental Health and Safety (IUEHS), as established and is renewed every two calendar years.

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Procedures

Additional information and detailed procedures regarding this policy should be reviewed in the Water Venues Program information located on the Protect.IU website.

• University Environmental Health and Safety (IUEHS) is responsible for liaising with other applicable related groups and regulatory authorities.

  In addition:

  • Conducting pre-operational, routine, and follow up inspections;
  • Complaint response;
  • Water chemistry sampling and tests for investigatory or auditing purposes;
  • Air quality sampling and tests for investigatory or auditing purposes;
  • Water clarity tests at bathing beaches for investigatory or auditing purposes;
  • Monitoring bacteriological water quality reports;
  • Providing technical support and consultation for IU staff that operate and maintain water venues, and the engineering staff, that design, renovate, or repair water venues;
  • Providing standardized forms for recordkeeping by water venue operators;
  • Research new aquatic trends, rules, regulations and standards;
  • Inform/train staff of new information; and
  • Emergency response consultation.
• Water Venue Operators are responsible for:
  • Daily water chemistry tests,
  • Weekly bacteriological water sampling,
  • Daily operation records,
  • Monitoring and maintaining bathing beach operations, and
  • Daily operation and maintenance of physical facilities of the water venue.
• Water Venue Managers are responsible for:
  • Supervising lifeguards and water venue employees,
  • Reporting facility problems,
  • Reporting injuries and illness,
  • Emergency/disaster response and preparedness, and
  • Ensuring venue users follow user sanitation rules and policies.
• Lifeguards are responsible for:
  • Lifesaving,
  • Lifesaving equipment,
  • Watching over bathers,
  • First aid,
  • Personal floatation devices,
  • Training,
  • Maintaining certifications, and
  • Monitoring bather load to prevent overcrowding.
• Capital Planning & Facilities is responsible for:
  • Plan review of proposed pool construction and renovation projects as detailed in Section 3.7 of the Water Venues Program,
  • Consultation with the appropriate internal and external resources during plan development to ensure that pool construction and renovation projects are code compliant, and
  • Supervising contractor’s work.

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Definitions

Program definitions may be found in the applicable state and federal rules and regulations.

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Sanctions

Facilities that are in substantial non-compliance with the requirements of the State of Indiana may be closed at the discretion of IUEHS.

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Additional Contacts

Indiana Department of Health - Environmental Public Health Division
317-233-7173 or eph@isdh.in.gov

Indiana Department of Homeland Security – Building Plan Review – Swimming Pools
317-232-6422 or http://www.in.gov/dhs/3682.htm

Indiana Department of Health Laboratories
317-233-1325 or 800-669-7362 (Emergency)
ISDH-Lab-info@isdh.in.gov

Center for Disease Control and Prevention
800-232-4636 or 770-488-3642
healthyswimming@cdc.gov or ehsb@cdc.gov

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History

This policy was established in March 2016.

In July 2024, references to the renamed IU Indianapolis campus were updated in this policy.

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