Eliminate drain suction hazards:
Inspect pools daily to ensure drain covers are in good condition and securely attached.
Do not operate shallow (less than 18 inches) pools with a single main drain suction outlet.
Post a sign: “WARNING — To prevent serious injury, do not allow children in swimming pool if drain cover is broken or missing.”
In the event of a fecal accident:
Instruct pool users to exit the pool; close the pool (24-hour minimum closure) and remove as much fecal material as possible from the pool.
Vacuum the pool and direct waste to a sewer system and not through pool filtration system (disinfect vacuum before reuse).
Raise free chlorine residual to 20.0 ppm with pH 7.2 – 7.5 and maintain overnight.
Operate filtration system for 3 or 4 turnovers, then backwash.
If spa, hot tub, or wading pool is contaminated, drain the pool at this point.
Disinfect the filter tank and media with a 20:1 solution of sodium hypochlorite; (alternative: for diatomaceous earth or cartridge filters, replace media or cartridge element).
Restart filtration system and neutralize any excessively high residual chlorine with sodium thiosulfate or allow to return to 5 ppm free chlorine.
Balance pool water and reopen the pool.
