Department of Health

Permitting and Inspection of Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches

Public bathing facilities (swimming pools and bathing beaches) are overseen by the Department of Health. To be issued an operating permit, a bathing facility must be inspected annually and meet certain other requirements. However, we identified some facilities that opened without an operating permit, and others that were issued permits without having submitted a complete safety plan. We further determined that documentation was not always maintained to show inspection violations had been corrected. We also found that Department records about the status of the bathing facilities were incomplete and inaccurate. We recommended that the Department more closely monitor local health agencies and take steps to improve the accuracy and completeness of its information system.

For a complete copy of Report 2003-S-26 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.