Who tests the water in public swimming areas (not just pools) in Maryland?

myrab51

It will vary from place to place. My husband works in the parks department in a nearby major city. For the pools owned and operated by the city, the parks department has a division that takes care of it. Sometimes their lifeguards who are also employed by the city preform the test as well. If the pool is owned by a private place such as a hotel, YMCA, or day care, then the facilty is responsible for the testing. They may have someone to do it, or contract out to a private company. There is no single answer. Aug 21 07, 1:45 PM

EdnaMode

What about lakes and public beaches? Aug 29 07, 7:27 PM

MonkeyOnALeash

EPA Aug 29 07, 9:21 PM

McGruff

Maryland Summary: 2006 Swimming Season The Beach Act of 2000 requires that coastal and Great Lakes states and territories report to EPA on beach monitoring and notification data for their coast recreation waters. Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) works with local health departments to enhance beach water quality monitoring and improve the public notification process regarding beach water quality in Maryland. Water quality assessment begins prior to beach season when local health departments collect water samples from beaches and perform shoreline surveys to ensure there are no nearby pollution sources that may adversely impact water quality. Results from beach samples collected before and during the beach season are sent to MDE who assembles the data and submits them to EPA. MDE also submits advisory information to EPA. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/seasons/2006/md.html Aug 30 07, 8:21 AM

McGruff

This article suggests that routine testing is not required for public swimming pools and spas in the state of Maryland, however water sampling and testing may be done at the discretion of the local health department. I'm not finding anything specific, but I would imagine if there is a license required to operate a public pool or spa, the local city or county jurisdiction issuing such a license would have some routine of checking the water quality. http://www.cha.state.md.us/ofpchs/lic_permit/pdf/pool/dcs_fecal_policy_package.pdf This is an example of a job vacancy for Baltimore County, which leads me to conclude it would be a local government employee actually sampling the water for testing, or actually performing tests. Baltimore County Government is accepting applications until further notice for the position of Swimming Pool Inspector. Vacancies exist in the Recreation Hygiene Section, Environmental Health Program, Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management. Examples of Duties: Makes routine inspections of licensed public swimming pools, enforcing the Baltimore County Public Swimming Pool and Beach Regulations. Inspections include: Checking for the presence of proper documentation (pool permit, certified pool operator, lifeguard credentials, water testing log, disinfection system operating data.) Checking for water clarity. Checking for safety violations. Checking for proper operation of disinfection system and performing confirmatory testing if necessary. Enter inspection details into the Pool Inspection Database. Return phone calls regarding citizen pool complaints Process Pool Operator Certificate applications. Performs other related duties as required. http://www.co.ba.md.us/Agencies/humanresources/jobs/poolinspec.html Aug 30 07, 8:50 AM