Some NH Public Pools And Spas Could Be Illegal Under New Regulations

NEW HAMPSHIRE — New Hampshire public bathing facilities like pools and hot tubs will need to operate under a new set of state regulations, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Before these facilities — which also include therapy pools, spas, special recreation pools, slides, and tubing courses — open for the summer, their owners and operators will need to do three things.

To be legal, a public bathing facility must be registered with the state, verified by an annual fee-based self-certification, and confirmed to be run under the supervision of a certified pool operator.

The online registration form is available on our PBF Registration Form Webpage.

Public bathing facilities can be found at condominium complexes, apartment complexes, youth recreation camps, public parks, recreational campgrounds or camping parks, and more.

The annual self-certification fee is $250 per public bathing facility regardless of size and up to a maximum of $1,500 annually for any facility with more than six public bathing facilities, officials said.

This includes "an annual compliance declaration that focuses on the practical aspects of public pool and spa operation such as circulation, filter and disinfection system performance, daily water quality testing and recordkeeping, presence of critical life-safety equipment, and facility maintenance," according to officials.

For seasonal facilities, the annual self-certification must be completed annually before reopening. For year-round facilities, the annual self-certification must be completed annually by March 1.

The online form and payment instructions are available on the PBF annual Self-Certification Form webpage.