Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) Technical Committees
On this Page:
- Technical Committee Purpose
- Technical Committee Interaction and Governance
- Technical Committee Guidance
- Technical Committee Meetings and Reporting
- MAHC Module Development Process
- Technical Committee Focus Areas
- Information and Assistance
Technical committees are being established to provide specialized knowledge regarding specific areas of the MAHC content. Initial efforts will be focused on reducing the spread of recreational water illnesses at treated recreational water venues.
Application Packet for Technical Committee Membership (PDF, 125 KB)
Technical Committee Purpose
Each technical committee will examine existing technologies and methodologies in the appropriate jurisdictions of their respective committees. The technical committee will determine the scientific basis, if any, for existing recommendations and criteria; identify scientific information gaps; and outline data that are needed to support future science-based revisions. The final product will be a performance-based model aquatic health code that is national in scope, data driven, and achieves consensus using the best available science and engineering practices.
Technical Committee Interaction and Governance
It is recognized that technical committees may overlap on certain issues. The Steering Committee will determine which committee has primary responsibility for the overlap area. Committees serving in a secondary role may contribute thoughts and ideas on the focus area but the overlap areas should be a secondary part of the committee activities. The committee serving as lead will ensure regular communication between all committees having an overlap area. For example, the Disinfection & Water Quality Committee will have primarily responsibility for looking at disinfection methodologies. However, disinfection level and pH levels are important secondary considerations for other committees such as Monitoring & Testing, Filtration & Recirculation, and Contamination Burden. These committees must be in regular communication with the lead Committee, Disinfection & Water Quality. The MAHC Coordinator and the Steering Committee Liaisons will also ensure appropriate communications between committees to help avoid unnecessary effort duplications. The MAHC Strawman includes markers delineating the integration points for each Technical Committee.
Technical Committee Guidance
Technical Committee Chair Duties (PDF, 50 KB)
Technical Committee Instructions (PDF, 16 KB)
Technical Committee Meetings and Reporting
Sample Agenda (Initial Call) (PDF, 38 KB)
Sample Agenda (After Initial Call) (PDF, 34 KB)
Monthly Progress Report (PDF, 33 KB)
MAHC Module Development Process
MAHC Module Submission Coversheet (PDF, 18 KB)
Technical Committee Focus Areas
Click on links below for information on existing technical committees.
- Disinfection & Water Quality
- Operator Training
- Contamination Burden (i.e. bather load)
- Ventilation & Air Quality
- Monitoring & Testing
- Recirculation Systems & Filtration
- Lifeguarding/Bather Supervision
(includes lifeguard training, staffing of lifeguards and attendants, lifeguard equipment, requirements, safety training (CPR, AED, etc.), and first aid equipment and facilities) - Risk Management/Safety
(includes chemical handling and storage, slip coefficient, safety markings, user guidelines/signage, fencing, pool entry/egress, diving boards, starting blocks, slides, food/drink facilities, emergency response; communication plan, severe weather closing, safety inspections, water depth, lifeguarding/supervision requirements, and pool water temperature criteria) - Hygiene Facilities
(includes location/distance/access, size/number, signage, toilets, showers, changing areas, handwashing, diaper changing stations, and cleaning & disinfection) - Facility Design & Construction
(includes pool shell, decks, lighting, electrical, water supply/drainage/sewer, cross connections, and ambient temperature control) - Facility Maintenance & Operation
(includes preventative maintenance, equipment inspections, seasonal opening/closing, cleaning & disinfection, and recordkeeping) - Regulatory Program Administration
(includes permitting, plan submission, plan review/approval, inspections, pool closures, and public information/posting)
Information and Assistance
For questions or comments about the MAHC or if you are interested in providing input into this process as a member of a technical committee, please email MAHC@cdc.gov.
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
Division of Parasitic Diseases
National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Enteric Diseases
Page last modified: January 20, 2009