The letter below was sent out to pool owners and operators in August 2023. Please disregard the test kit requirement. The decision was recently made by the State Health Office to suspend the implementation of the Level 1 test kit requirements currently in Rule 64E-9.004(10), Florida Administrative Code until further notice.
For any questions or additional information please contact our office at 954-412-7335.
64E-9 : PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND BATHING PLACES - Florida Administrative Rules
“The Florida Department of Health (Department) revised Rule 64E-9.004, of the Florida Administrative Code, effective June 11, 2023. Among other changes, the Department revised the provisions related to the level of disinfectants permitted by the rule and the test kits approved for use. We are providing this notification to you as a courtesy, as these changes may affect the current operation of your pool(s) and/or spa(s).
Summary of the disinfectant revisions:
a. The maximum free Chlorine residual is now 5 ppm (mg/L) for spa-type pools.
b. The maximum available Bromine residual is now 6 ppm (mg/L) for all pools and spas.
c. There were no changes for the minimum level of disinfectants that are allowed by the rule.
d. There were no changes for the maximum level of Chlorine in most pools (except spa-type pools).
If your pool or spa is higher than these residuals, the pools or spa must be immediately closed to patrons until the residual meets the rule standards.
Rule 64E-9.004(1)(d)2.: Disinfection – Free chlorine residual shall be as follows: 1 milligram per liter (mg/L) to a maximum of 10.0 mg/L, inclusive, in conventional swimming pools; 2 mg/L to 10.0 mg/L, inclusive, in all other type pools such as swim-up bars, wading pools, special purpose pools, water recreation attraction pools, and interactive water fountains; and 2 mg/L to 5 mg/L, inclusive, in spa-type pools; or available bromine residual shall be 1.5 mg/L to 6 mg/L, inclusive, in conventional swimming pools and 3 mg/L to 6 mg/L, inclusive, in all other type pools. Except that, for indoor conventional swimming pools, the maximum disinfectant residuals shall be 5 mg/L free chlorine and 6 mg/L free bromine.
Summary of the test kit (water quality test device) revision:
a. NSF Standard 50-2020 Level 1 accuracy certification required for disinfectant test kits.
If you do not have this type of test kit at the next inspection, the Department staff will cite your pool for the violation and requires you to acquire this type of test kit by the next routine inspection.
Rule 64E-9.004(10): Test kits are required to be on the premises of all pools to determine free active chlorine and total chlorine using N, N-Diethyl-p-Phenylenediamine (DPD), or available bromine level, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and pH. NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 50-2020 level 1 accuracy-certified water quality test devices/kits or specific laboratory analysis methods identified by the chemical product manufacturer must be available to determine the concentration in pool water of all NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 60-2021 approved chemicals that are fed or added to a public pool, or the chemical cannot be used. NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 50-2020, Equipment and Chemicals for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Other Recreational Water Facilities, October 21, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference, has been deemed copyright protected, and is available for review at the Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health, 4025 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32311 or at the Department of State, R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399- 0250.”
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