Healthy Swimming and Recreational Waters
Pools, water parks, and other water-related venues are great sources of fun and exercise, however, with aquatic activities there are risks of waterborne illness and injury.
Pools and similar facilities can harbor pathogens that make us sick, and sometimes the chemicals intended to inactivate these pathogens can irritate our skin, eyes and lungs. Fortunately, most of these risks are preventable. Environmental health professionals can work with aquatic-industry leaders and the public to minimize these risks so we can all enjoy the benefits of recreational water safely.
CDC's Healthy and Safe Swimming Week
May 2020
According to the US Census, there are over 30 million swimmer visits each year in the United states. CDC's Healthy and Safe Swimming (HSS) week helps create awareness around potential illness and injuries that can occur when enjoying recreational waters. The 2019 HSS Week toolkit contains a cover letter, community outreach suggestions, list of resources, sample press release, sample op-ed, sample proclamation, and suggested social media messages that are available and free to use.
Aquatic Healthy and Safety Infographic
NEW! CDC Updates the MAHC
The updated MAHC incorporates revisions that were suggested at the bi-annual Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC). The suggestions were categorized, opened for discussion to the CMAHC membership, reviewed again and accepted revisions are added to the MAHC. The CDC website offers a variety of ways to review the changes made as well as PDF versions of the revised code.
Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC)
MAHC is a collaborative effort of public health, academia, and industry. By providing a model code based on the latest science, the MAHC strives to keep swimming healthy and protect individuals, families, and communities from preventable waterborne diseases and injuries. The MAHC encourages stakeholder involvement, so please make your swimming pool program aware of the following resources and opportunities to get involved.
Updated Model Aquatic Health Code Now Available!
CDC has released an updated 2018 version of the MAHC. The review process is organized by the Council for the Model Aquatic and will be done bi-annually.
Meet the CMAHC
The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) will serve as a key CDC partner by serving as a national clearinghouse for gathering stakeholder input and advice on needed improvements to the MAHC. Consider joining today.
Questions? Email mahc@cdc.gov.
EH20 Recreational Water Virtual Conference
January 18th - 19th, 2017
The conference was designed to enhance the knowledge of environmental health professionals in order to help them respond to environmental events of public health concern as well as to provide an opportunity to network and learn about the latest in indoor and outdoor treated recreational waters. If you were unable to attend the conference, you can still view and download presentation slides below.
Health and Safety
Recommendations for Reducing Cryptosporidium Infection Risk in Swimming Pools ; Transcript
Opportunities for Preventing Mass Chlorine Exposures at Recreational Swimming Pools ; Transcript
Evaluation of Swimming Pool Treatment Chemical Health Effects Under NSF/ANSI Standard 50 ; Transcript
Dangerous Underwater Breath-Holding Behavior-Related Drownings in NY, 1988-2011 ; Transcript
Lifeguarding and the Model Aquatic Health Code ; Transcript
Innovation and Technology
Introducing Aquatic Inspector: A CDC iPad App to Streamline Pool Inspections ; Transcript
Advanced Chemistry and Its Impact on Disinfection ; Transcript
Swimming Pool Technologies: Are These the Answer? ; Transcript
Floatation Systems in the State of Washington ; Transcript
Inspections and Training
Reducing Drownings Through Epidemiology and Interventions ; Transcript
Network for Aquatic Facility Inspection Surveillance Data on Immediate Closures and Violations ; Transcript
Expanding Swimming Pool Educational Outreach ; Transcript
Understanding and Applying Lifeguard/Bather Supervision and Operational Entries in the MAHC ; Transcript
Questions? Contact programs@neha.org or 303-756-9090 x 335.