Recreational Water Quality

Pools and Hot Tubs

Health Authorities regularly inspect and approve commercial pools and hot tubs in British Columbia to ensure that that they are safely constructed and operated according to the Swimming Pool, Spray Pool and Wading Pool Regulation under the Health Act.

Bathing Beaches

Health Authorities may sample the water quality of recreational beaches or create reports on recreational water quality concerns to help inform them of any public health risks.  Health Authorities, at their discretion may decide to close beaches, issue public advisories or to post warning signs based on these sampling results until the water samples indicate that it is safe to resume swimming in these waters.

The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality are often referenced to help determine whether any health risk is present based on water samples taken.  The Guidelines address potential health hazards such as infections transmitted by disease-causing micro-organisms, and aesthetics and nuisance conditions. 

Additional information can be found on the related Health Files which are hyperlinked from the right hand navigation bar on this page .