CDC has developed the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) to promote drowning prevention, reduce injuries, and the control the spread of waterborne illnesses at public swimming pools.
This code was produced through a shared effort with public health officials, the aquatics industry, and academic partners from across the United States. It’s development is due in part to the lack of a comprehensive national health code for swimming pools.
The first edition was released in 2014. It’s use is voluntary, but it is designed to help health officials update their code requirements. In the coming years you should expect changes to your local health codes to reflect the MAHC.
The MAHC is very comprehensive and contains over 700 pages of new regulations.
The regulations address:
- Design and construction such as secondary disinfection systems to kill chlorine-tolerant organisms and reduce outbreaks.
- Operations and maintenance such as lifeguarding standards to reduce drowning.
- Policies and management such as training for pool operators to reduce pool chemical accidents, pool closures, and other issues.
If you would like more information on how the MAHC affects your community swimming pool please contact us.
CDC MAHC Materials
- Button Image to promote the MAHC on websites, blogs, and social networks
- Fact Sheets Printable fact sheets about the MAHC
- Features Feature stories about the MAHC
- Infographic Shareable infographic about the creation of the MAHC
- Social Media Library Messages about the MAHC to share on social media channels
CDC Healthy Swimming Materials
View, download, and share a variety of resources to help you learn more about recreational water illnesses (RWIs), healthy swimming, pool chemical safety, and other water-related disease prevention topics on the Healthy Swimming website.