Recreational Water Facilities

In accordance with the Ontario Regulation 494/17 and Ontario Regulation 141/18 – Amending Reg. 565 of R.R.O. 1990 (PUBLIC POOLS), all owners/operators of recreational water facilities are required to notify the Medical Officer of Health or Public Health Inspector at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), at least 14 days before opening a new recreational water facility or re-opening a closed recreational water facility if the closure was for longer than 4 weeks. This is applicable to the following types of recreational water facilities:

  • Class A Pool – Public, recreational camp, YMCA or publicly supported institutional pool
  • Class B Pool - Hotel/motel, campground, apartment (with 6 or more dwellings). And depending on use and access, floatation pool, hot water pool, cold plunge pool
  • Class C Facility - Wading pool, spray pad/splash pad, water slide receiving basin, floatation tank
  • Public Spa - Hot tubs, hydro-massage pools for therapeutic or recreational use

An operator who wishes to open or re-open a recreational water facility is required to provide the following information to the Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Inspector at the EOHU:

  • Date the recreational water facility is intended to open or re-open
  • Name and address of the facility/business/operator
  • Indication of whether it is a class A or B pool, or a Class C facility or Public Spa
  • Building permit number (new facilities only)
  • Confirmation that all the preparations necessary to operate the recreational water facility in accordance with the above Regulations have been completed

The information can be provided by completing and submitting the Notice of Intent to Open or Re-Open a Recreational Water Facility form. If you are unable to complete this form online, please email info@eohu.ca to receive it in an alternate format.

IMPORTANT: The recreational water facility must not be opened or re-opened until permission has been obtained in writing from the Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Inspector at the EOHU.

For more information:

Ontario Regulation 494/17 – Amending Reg. 565 of R.R.O. 1990 (PUBLIC POOLS)
Ontario Regulation 141/18 – Amending Reg. 565 of R.R.O. 1990 (PUBLIC POOLS)