Public Swimming Pools & Beaches
Public Swimming Pools & Beaches
All public swimming and bathing facilities are routinely inspected for water quality, safety, proper function, overall cleanliness and other items that may affect public health.
Public swimming areas that are inspected include swimming pools, wading pools, diving pools, waterslides, spray pools, beaches, spas and therapy pools.
For new public swimming facilities, plans must be submitted and inspections must be conducted before the facility may open. For information on new construction and building inspections of new pools, contact the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Public Safety Branch at (502) 564-4537.
Fee Schedule
See the chart below for permit fee information.
Helpful Materials for Pool Operators
Step 1: TAC – FAC = CAC
Step 2: CAC X 10 = Adjustment (Amount Needed to Reach Breakpoint)
Step 3: Use “The Formula”
| Pool Volume(Gallons) | Adjustment (PPM) | |||
| ÷ | 10,000 | ÷ | 1 PPM | |
| Amount of Chemicals (OZ., Lbs., Gal., ETC.) | X | “A” | X | “B” |
“A” X “B” = Total | ||||
| Amount of Chemical(from Chart) | Pool Volume(Gallons) | Change | Total | ||||
| Gallons | PPM (Adjustment) | ||||||
| ÷ | 10,000 | Gallons | ÷ | ||||
| X | X |
| FUNCTION / CHEMICAL | CHANGE AMOUNT |
| Increase Free Available Chlorine | 1 PPM |
| Chlorine Gas | 1.3 Ounces |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | 2.0 ounces |
| Calcium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 10.7 Fluid Ounces |
| Lithium Hypochlorite | 3.8 Ounces |
| Trichlor | 1.5 Ounces |
| Dichlor (62%) | 2.1 Ounces |
| Dichlor (56%) | 2.4 Ounces |
| Neutralize Free Available Chlorine | 1 ppm |
| Sodium Thiosulfate | 2.6 Ounces |
| Sodium Sulfate | 2.4 Ounces |
| Increase Total Alkalinity (TA) | 10 PPM |
| Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) | 1.4 Pounds |
| Sodium Carbonate | 14 Ounces |
| Sodium Sesquicarbonate | 1.25 Pounds |
| Decrease Total Alkalinity | 10 PPM |
| Muriatic Acid (31.4 %) | 13 Fluid Ounces |
| Sodium Sodium Bisulfate | 2.1 Pounds |
| Increase Calcium Hardness | 10 PPM |
| Calcium Chloride (100%) | 0.9 Pound |
| Calcium Chloride (77%) | 1.2 Pound |
| Increase Stabilizer | 10 PPM |
| Cyanuric Acid | 13 Ounces |
NOTE: This chart gives approximate amounts of each chemical listed. Always read the labels for exact amounts needed for your chemical adjustments.
Filtration –The mechanical process of removing insoluble mater from water
Turnover Rate –The amount of time needed to recirculation the entire volume of water one time – measured in hours
Flow Rate – The amount of water passing through the filtration system at a given time measured in gallons per minute(GPM)
Filter Media – The substance that entraps particles as water passes through it.
Filter Surface Area – The amount of filter media that will filter water – measured in square feet (sq ft)
Filtering Rate – The rate at which water will pass through filter media – measured in gallons per minute per square foot (GPM / SQFT) of filter surface area
Backwash – The process of cleaning a filter
| Filter Media | Filtering Rate | Effectiveness | Media Life |
| Sand and Gravel | 3 gpm/sqft | Varies | Top 12 inches Yearly Entire Media every 10 years |
| High Rate Sand | 12-20 gpm/sqft | 100 microns | Top 12 inches Yearly Entire Media every 10 years |
| Diatomaceous Earth (DE) | 2 | 1-2 microns | 2 months |
| Diatomaceous Earth (DE) with Slurry Feed | 2.5 | 1-2 microns | 2 months |
| Cartridge | 0.375 ft. | 20 microns | 6 Months |
| VALUE | FACTOR | VALUE | FACTOR | |
| Total Alkalinity | ||||
| PH | ||||
| Calcium Hardness | ||||
| Temperature | ||||
| Sub Total | ||||
| Total Dissolved Solids | -12.1 | -12.1 | ||
| Saturation Index |
| Amount Conversions | |||||
Ounces to Pounds | Ounces ÷ 16 = Pounds(Powders & Gas) | ||||
| Fluid Ounces to Gallons | Fluid Ounces ÷ 128 = Gallons Liquid | ||||
Distance Conversations: | |||||
| Yards to Feet | Yards x 3 = Feet | ||||
Meters to Feet | Meters X 3.28 = Feet | ||||
Surface Areas: | |||||
Rectangle/ Square | Length X Width = Square Feet | ||||
Circle | 3.14 X Radius = Square Feet | ||||
Pool Volume: | |||||
| (Average Depth = (Shallow Depth + Deep Depth) ÷ 2) | |||||
Rectangle: | |||||
Length X Width X Average Depth X 7.5 = Gallons | |||||
Circle: | |||||
3.14 X Radius x Average Depth X 7.5 = Gallons | |||||
Oval: | |||||
Full Length X Average Width X Average Depth X 6.7 = Gallons | |||||
Kidney: | |||||
Length X Average Width X Average Depth X 7.0 = Gallons | |||||
Turnover Rate: | |||||
Pool Volume ÷ Flow Rate ÷ 60 = Hours | |||||
Flow Rate: | |||||
Pool Volume ÷ Turnover Rate (Hours) ÷ 60 = Gallons per Minute (GPM) | |||||
Filter Surface Area: (Use with “Filter Media” Handout) | |||||
Flow Rate ÷ Filtering Rate = Square Feet | |||||
The Formula (Use with “Dosages Required” Handout) | |||||
Pool Volume (Gallons) | Adjustment (PPM) | ||||
÷ | 10,000 | ÷ | 1 PPM | ||
Amount of Chemicals (OZ., Lbs., Gal., ETC.) | X | “A” | X | “B” | |
“A” X “B” = Total | |||||
| Total Alkalinity: | |
| Measure of Resistance to Change of PH | |
| Ideal: | 80 PPM – 120 PPM |
| PH: | |
| Measure of Acid vs. Base | |
| Acceptable: | 7.2 – 7.8 |
| Ideal: | 7.4 – 7.6 |
| Calcium Hardness: | |
| Measure of Calcium ions in Water | |
| Ideal: | 220 PPM – 400 PPM |
| Temperature: | |
| Pools: | |
| Competition: | 78° – 80° |
| Recreation: | 82° – 84° |
| Special Populations: | 86° – 88° |
| Spas: | |
| Not to exceed: | 104° |
| Total Dissolved Solids | |
| Measure of All Minerals Dissolved in the Water: | |
Services & Programs
Look Through Our Most Popular Services Below To See How We Can Help You.
On-Site Sewage
The Lincoln Trail District Health Department Environmental office provides inspections for septic systems in Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington Counties.
Public Swimming Pools & Beaches
All public swimming and bathing facilities are routinely inspected for water quality, safety, proper function, overall cleanliness and other items that may affect public health.
Tattoos & Piercing
Local health departments register and inspect tattoo, body piercing and ear piercing studios. All providers must be registered with their local health department and working in a permitted studio.
Rabies (Animal Bites)
All non-domesticated or “wild animals” must immediately be sacrificed and tested in the State Rabies Laboratory. Domesticated farm animals are evaluated on a case by case basis.
Schools
We inspect all private and parochial schools serving kindergarten through 12th grade twice each year to ensure compliance with Kentucky school sanitation regulation.
Hotels & Motels
Hotels and motels are inspected annually. Areas of the inspection include safety, cleanliness, lighting, supplies, bedding, ice machines and laundry areas.
Mobile Home & RV Parks
Mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks are inspected annually to ensure facilities are maintained, sanitary and safe. Follow-up inspections are conducted as needed.
Youth Camps
Local health departments inspect both residential and day camp facilities to ensure compliance with state regulation.
Private Water Testing
The Lincoln Trail District Health Department provides water testing for private water supplies, wells, or cisterns. The cost associated with sampling is $50.