(a) Disinfectant agent. Pool and spa water must be continuously disinfected by a chlorine or bromine disinfectant agent that can be easily measured by simple and accurate field tests.
(b) Supplemental treatment systems. Supplemental treatment systems may be installed and used on pools and spas.
  (1) Supplemental treatment systems used only to treat water in a pool or spa and not a public interactive water feature or fountain (PIWF) are not required to meet the minimum 3-log or 2-log inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum.
  (2) Supplemental treatment systems used to treat water in a PIWF must comply with the requirements in §265.306(g) of this chapter (relating to Water Quality at Public Interactive Water Features and Fountains) referring to supplemental water treatment systems for PIWFs.
  (3) Supplemental treatment systems must meet NSF Standard 50 or NSF Standard 60, have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or FIFRA registration, and be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(c) Secondary disinfection systems. Secondary disinfection systems may be installed and used on a pool or spa and must be certified, listed, and labeled to NSF Standard 50.
  (1) Secondary disinfection systems must achieve a minimum 2-log (99%) reduction in the number of infective Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts per pass though the treatment system; and
  (2) must be located in the treatment system so that the 2-log reduction is obtained.
  (3) Validation records, as applicable, and operation records must be maintained for any secondary disinfection system or treatment, and must be maintained on-site, or made available to the inspector within five business days upon request if kept off-site.
(d) Water treatment chemicals. Treatment chemicals must be certified, listed, and labeled to either NSF Standard 50 or NSF Standard 60 or have an EPA FIFRA registration and be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(e) Chlorine gas prohibited. Use of compressed chlorine gas is prohibited in pools and spas constructed on or after January 1, 2021.
(f) Training and protection. Personnel responsible for the operation of the disinfectant agent and other potentially hazardous chemicals, whether it is the trained and certified operator, or someone assigned to maintain a pool or spa when the trained and certified operator is not on-site, must be properly trained and provided with appropriate protective equipment and clothing, including rubber gloves and goggles, safety information, and safety data sheets. Safety data sheets covering all chemicals for which personnel are responsible must be kept on-site and be readily available.
(g) Application of disinfectant in a pool or spa.
  (1) Automatic distribution of chemicals. If using automatic feeders, automated controllers that adjust chemical feed based on demand or manually, or remotely managed controllers for pool and spa disinfection and pH control, must be installed. Automatic feeders must meet NSF Standard 50 for use in public pools and spas and must operate in a manner that does not invalidate the NSF rating for the system and equipment.
    (A) Controllers that adjust chemical feed either manually or automatically are required.
    (B) Disinfection equipment must be selected and monitored so that continuous and effective disinfection can be achieved under all conditions.
    (C) Disinfectant feed systems must have the capacity to maintain up to 5 parts per million (ppm) chlorine (or equivalent bromine level) in outdoor pools and spas and up to 3 ppm chlorine (or equivalent bromine level) in indoor pools and spas under all conditions of intended use.
    (D) Skimmer baskets or floating dispensers may not be used to dispense disinfectant, chemicals that adjust pH, or algaecides.
  (2) Hand distribution of chemicals. Hand distribution of disinfectant chemicals, chemicals used to adjust pH, or algaecides is prohibited when users are in the pool or spa. Before users reenter the pool or spa following hand distribution of disinfectant chemicals, chemicals used to adjust pH, or algaecides, the following applies:
    (A) tests of disinfectant levels and pH must be performed 30 minutes after hand distribution; and
    (B) no one may reenter the pool or spa until the disinfectant levels and pH are checked and are found to be within the required range.
(h) Bulk chemical tanks. All chemical bulk and day tanks must be clearly labeled to indicate the tank's contents.
(i) Chemical storage areas.
  (1) Disinfectant agents, other chemicals, and feed equipment must be stored so that pool and spa users and other unauthorized persons do not have access.
  (2) Dry chemicals must be stored off the floor or in waterproof containers in a dry room and protected against flooding or wetting from floors, walls and ceiling.
  (3) Chlorine compounds must not be stored in the same storage room or storage area as petroleum products.

Source Note: The provisions of this §265.189 adopted to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 8668