Recreational Waters

The US Environmental Protection Agency is the federal agency responsible for oversight of the recreational water quality initiative within the United States. The Beach Watch website provides valuable summary information on recreational water quality for the entire United States. Currently, there is summary data on more than 1800 beaches throughout the United States. At this site, you can also link to state and/or county data on recreational water quality testing results and other information related to recreational water quality.

The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (Public Law 106-284) published in October, 2000, defines the scope and responsibilities of all levels of government with respect to coastal beach safety and health.

Director's Orders 83 is the governing document that describes the Public Health Program expectations of Park Managers. The requirements outlined in DO 83 are in keeping with the requirements as set forth in the Management Policies of the National Park Service, GPRAct requirements and the NPS Strategic Plan(large file).

Within the National Park Service, some recreational waters are not monitored by state and/or county authorities and ensuring recreational water quality is the responsibility of park management. The guidance documents for conducting recreational water quality assessments is found the following reference manuals:

Reference Manual 83(D1) for bathing beaches (pdf)
Reference Manual 83(D2) for swimming pools (pdf)
Reference Manual 83(D3) for hot tubs and spas (pdf)

Note: Reference Manuals 83(D2) [American National Standard Institute ( ANSI/NSPI-1 1991)- Standard for Public Swimming Pools] and (D3) [American National Standard for Spas (ANSI/NSPI-2 1999) - American National Standard for Public Spas] are copyrighted documents that must be purchased from the publisher. The documents can be obtained from the following:

National Spa and Pool Institute
2111 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.838.0083 ext 153

News

Policy and Guidelines

RM83(D1) - Bathing Beaches

RM83(D2) - Swimming Pools

RM83(D3) - Hot Tubs/Spas

General Information

Disinfection and Operation Guidelines (CDC Healthy Swimming)

Cleaning up Bodily Fluids on Pool Surfaces (CDC Healthy Swimming)

Vomit and Blood Contamination in Pools (CDC Healthy Swimming)

Fecal Accidents in Pools (CDC)

Recommended Training

Bacteriological Monitoring Report Form (MS Excel)