2018 Model Aquatic Health Code Published

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2018 Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). This is the third edition of this code, a voluntary guidance document to assist state and local governments in developing and improving their swimming pool codes. Like many model codes, counties and states can choose to adopt it in part or in whole, depending on the needs identified by public health officials in each area.

The MAHC includes guidelines aimed at preventing health- and safety-related problems in aquatic facilities, including injury, drowning and illness. The 2018 code includes updates and changes related to risk management, lifeguarding and water quality.

A significant change in 2018 is that the MAHC now specifies that numerous pool chemicals (including stabilizers, pool-grade salt, clarifiers, flocculants, defoamers, pH adjustment chemicals, etc.) must meet the requirements of NSF/ANSI/CAN 50: Equipment for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Other Recreational Water Facilities or NSF/ANSI/CAN 60: Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals – Health Effects. Specifically, the code states that treatment chemicals must be certified, listed and labeled to either NSF/ANSI 50/CAN or NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 by an ANSI-accredited certification organization, and/or have a U.S. EPA FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) registration and be used only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

For more information on the MAHC and to view the comprehensive document, visit the CDC website.

For a list of pool chemicals certified by NSF, visit our NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 listings for these products.

For a list of drinking water treatment chemicals certified by NSF, visit our NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 listings for these products.