§ 165.45 Water Treatment System.
RCNY § 165.45
(a)General. A water treatment system consisting of pumps, piping, filters, water conditioning and disinfection equipment, and other accessory equipment, shall be provided which will clarify, chemically balance and disinfect the pool water and/or spray pad water. The system shall be designed for a recirculation flow rate that will result in a turnover period in each pool and/or spray ground not exceeding those specified below. Construction shall comply with all other provisions of this Code regarding water and waste water.
(1)Pools. Each pool shall have a separate water treatment system. Pools with an approved design rate of less than those specified below shall be operated at the design rate. Construction of fill and draw pools is prohibited. Types of PoolTurnover Period Shall Not Exceed Swimming Pool6 hoursPhysical-Therapy Pool4 hoursMoveable Bottom Pool4 hoursWading Pool2 hoursWave Pool2 hoursWhite Water Slides1 hourSpa Pool30 minutes; and shall be capable of returning the spa water to a turbidity of less than 0.50 N.T.U. (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) measured within four hours following the peak bather load. Pools constructed prior to March 31, 1973 may have an eight-hour turnover rate.
(2)Spray Grounds. All water provided to the spray pad shall be treated with ultraviolet light as specified in 24 RCNY Health Code § 165.45(l)(9) during spray pad operation. The spray pad treatment system shall comply with the following requirements: (A) The water from the spray pad treatment system can only be combined/circulated with water from other pool(s) if: (1) All the water from the spray pad is treated by ultraviolet (uv) light disinfection prior to combining/circulating with water from the other pool(s) or; (2) UV light disinfection are provided to treat all of the water in the other pool(s). The larger flow rate resulting from the two calculations below shall be the minimum flow rate used for the treatment system design. All recirculated water must pass through both the ultraviolet light unit(s) and filters. The minimum flow rate through the treatment system shall be calculated using the two methods described below: (i) Minimum flow rate (For ultraviolet disinfection): Q: Minimum flow rate through the ultraviolet disinfection/filtration system (in gallons per minute)V: Pool volume (in gallons). ln(V): Natural log of the volume. 14.8-ln(V): Number of turnovers (ii) Minimum filtration flow rate (for combined pool/spray pad system): The minimum filtration rate for a pool that shares water with a spray pad is specified in 24 RCNY Health Code § 165.45(a)(2)(C)(iii). The minimum filtration flow rate shall be at least the sum of the flow rate for the pool type specified in 24 RCNY Health Code § 165.45(a)(1) and one third of the spray feature flow rate. (B) When water supplying the spray features is removed from the spray pad treatment tank by a pump separate from the filtration/recirculation pump system, the ratio of the flow rate of water supplied to the spray features directly from the treatment tank must not exceed 3 times the design filtered water flow rate. (C) Turnover Rate.
(i)When water is supplied to the spray features by a pump which removes water directly from the spray pad treatment tank independent from the spray pad treatment tank filter pump, the turnover rate for filtration shall be determined by the feature flow rate. The filtration flow rate for the spray pad treatment tank must be at least one-third of the design spray feature flow rate.
(ii)When all of the water supplied to the spray features is filtered upon removal from the spray pad treatment tank before being supplied to the spray features, a reduced pumping rate for filtration/treatment of the spray pad treatment tank water can be used when the spray features are not in operation. However, a minimum 4-hour turnover rate shall be provided.
(iii)The minimum flow rate through the filtration system for combined pool/spray pad systems shall be equal to or greater than the sum of the flow rate for the specific type pool as required by 24 RCNY Health Code § 165.45(a)(1), plus one third of the spray feature flow rate.
(b)Equipment and storage area. All the pumps, filters, chemical feeders and other mechanical equipment and chemicals shall be secured and protected by an appropriate enclosure or room, separate and apart from the pool. The size of the equipment room shall provide working space to perform routine operations. Clearance shall be provided for all equipment as prescribed by the manufacturers to allow normal maintenance operation and removal without disturbing other piping or equipment. Operating instructions and a schematic drawing for all equipment shall be provided in the equipment enclosure room. Adequate storage area shall be provided for chemicals and supplementary equipment. A dry above ground storage area shall be provided for facilities using calcium hypochlorite as a disinfectant. Equipment rooms shall not be used for storage of chemicals emitting corrosive fumes or for storage of other items to the extent that entrance to the room for inspection or operation of the equipment is impaired.
(c)Hydraulics and piping system.
(3)Plumbing color coding. All exposed piping and valves should be identified by color code in accordance with Table 4. Where two colors do not have sufficient contrast to easily differentiate between them, a six inch band of contrasting color should be painted on one pipe at approximately thirty inch (30") intervals. The name of the liquid or gas and arrows indicating direction of flow should be shown on the pipe. Table 4: Plumbing Color Coding Schedule CategoryColor CodeCategoryColor CodePiping Potable water linesDark blueFiltered waterAquaSkimmer or gutter returnOlive greenMain drainBlackAlumOrangeChlorine (gas/solution)YellowSoda ashWhiteAcidPink Waste lines Backwash wasteDark brownSewerDark grayDeck drainsLight brown Other Compressed airDark greenGasRed (4) Installation and draining of pipes. All equipment and piping shall be designed and fabricated to drain completely by use of drain plugs, drain valves or other means. All piping shall be supported continuously or at sufficiently close intervals to prevent sagging. All suction piping shall be sloped in one direction, preferably toward the pump. All supply and return pipelines to the pool and/or spray pad shall be provided with valves or other means to allow the piping to be drained to a point below the frost line. Provision shall be made for expansion and contraction of pipes.
(d)Selection of recirculation pumps. The recirculation pump shall have adequate capacity (flow rate and pressure) to meet the design requirements of the pool and/or spray pad treatment tank, including filter backwashing and turnover rate. It shall be of a self-priming type if installed above the hydraulic gradient. A gauge which indicates both pressure and vacuum shall be installed on the pump suction header and a pressure gauge shall be installed on the pump discharge line. Gauges shall be installed as near to the pump inlet as possible.
(e)Strainers and screens. The recirculation system shall include suitable strainer(s) or screen(s) to prevent hair, lint, and other debris from reaching the pump and filters. The strainers shall be of rigid construction, fabricated of corrosion-resistant material and of adequate strength to withstand maximum anticipated loading including pressure. The openings shall be no greater than one-eighth inch in any dimension. The total clear area of all openings shall be at least four times the area of the connecting pipe. The strainer shall have a quick-opening cover. One spare strainer basket shall be provided for each strainer. In systems where the filter is located on the suction side of the pump, strainers are not required.
(f)Inlets (for pools). Wall or floor inlets shall be provided for all pools and shall be located and directed to provide distribution of treated water to facilitate the maintenance of a uniform disinfectant residual throughout the entire pool.
(4)Testing. Dye testing (crystal violet or equivalent) should be performed to determine and adjust the recirculation pattern.
(g)Main drains (for pools). Every pool constructed after July 15, 1998, shall have at least two hydraulically balanced main drains to the pool filter system installed in the pool floor at the deepest point. The minimum distance between the main drains shall be three feet (3') measured from center to center of the drains. If the floor of a spa pool is insufficient for a separation distance of three feet (3'), then the separation distance shall be as great as possible. The main drains shall be connected to a single main suction pipe by branch lines and the branch lines shall not be valved so as to be capable of operating independently. Pools constructed before July 15, 1998, shall have at least one main drain installed in the pool floor at the deepest point.
(5)A hydrostatic relief valve shall be provided at each main drain for in-ground pools.
(h)Surface skimmer systems (for pools). A surface skimmer system, perimeter overflow system or recessed automatic surface skimmers, shall be provided on all pools and shall be designed and installed to continuously remove all floating material, surface dirt and waste water. A perimeter overflow system shall be required on all pools which have a pool width exceeding thirty feet (30'), or a surface area of over one thousand six hundred square feet (1,600 ft 2 ). Pools having a width of thirty feet (30') or less, or a surface area of one thousand six hundred square feet (1,600 ft 2 ) or less shall be provided either with perimeter overflows or skimmers. A combination of perimeter overflow systems and skimmers may also be used when approved by the department. All overflow systems and skimmers shall be capable of continuously removing all floating material, surface dirt and waste water.
(j)Flow measurement and control.
(k)Water heater and thermometer (pools). A water heater shall be installed at all indoor pools. Heaters shall be installed in accordance with the standards contained in the Building Code and the manufacturer's recommendations. Heating coil, pipe or steam hose shall not be installed in a pool. Pools equipped with heaters shall have a fixed thermometer in the recirculation line downstream of the heater and another near the outlet of the pool.
(l)Disinfection and chemical feeders. Pools and/or spray pad treatment shall be designed to provide for continuous disinfection of the pool and/or spray pad water with a chemical which is an effective disinfectant and which imparts an easily measured, active residual. The pools and/or spray pad shall be equipped with a chlorinator, hypochlorinator, or other disinfectant feeder or feeders. An automatic controller shall be provided for continuous monitoring and adjusting the level of free residual disinfectant in the spray pad treatment tank. An automatic device shall be provided to deactivate chemical feeders when there is not flow in the spray pad treatment recirculation system. The feeder shall be automatic, easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance, and capable of providing the required chemical residuals which meet the following requirements: (1) Design specifications. The feeder shall be of sturdy construction and materials which will withstand wear, corrosion or attack by disinfectant solutions or vapors, and which are not adversely affected by repeated, regular adjustments or other normal use conditions. The feeder shall not allow flow of unintended chemicals or those containing foreign materials into the pool and/or spray pad treatment. The feeders shall incorporate anti-siphon safeguards so that the disinfectant cannot continue to feed into the pool and/or spray pad treatment tank, the pool piping system, the pool enclosure, spray pad treatment tank, the spray piping system or the spray pad enclosure if any type of failure of the equipment occurs.
(6)Hypochlorinators (positive displacement pumps). Where positive displacement pumps are used to inject the disinfectant solution into the recirculation line, the following requirements shall apply: (A) Feed. Feed shall be continuous at the proper addition rate under all conditions of pressure in the recirculation system without constriction of the recirculation pump suction. (B) Solution tanks. If granular calcium hypochlorite is used, two solution tanks, each with minimum capacity of one-day supply, should be provided. All chemical containers including those used with chemical feeders shall be clearly labeled regarding their contents.
(7)Gas chlorination. Gas chlorination is prohibited. Chlorine gas shall not be used or stored except under permit from the Fire Department and in accordance with Building Code reference standards and as approved by the Department.
(8)Copper/silver and copper ion generators. All copper/silver and copper ion generators shall be approved by N.S.F. or equivalent which are approved by the department and are acceptable only as a supplement to chlorine or bromine disinfection system.
(9)Ultraviolet light disinfection units. All spray pad treatment systems shall provide ultraviolet light disinfection systems unless the provision of an alternative treatment process has been approved by the New York State Department of Health to be capable of providing the equivalent level of reduction of cryptosporidium as the ultraviolet light disinfection system specified in this article. The ultraviolet light unit shall be located between the spray pad treatment tank pump discharge and the spray features or as approved in accordance with 24 RCNY Health Code § 165.45(a)(2)(A). The following requirement for ultraviolet light shall apply: (A) All ultraviolet light units must be validated with dosage by an independent agency with dosage. The validation process must determine the ultraviolet light unit's disinfection performance by indicating that a dose of 40mJ/cm 2 (at end of lamp life) is achieved at a flow rate equal to or greater than the design flow rate at the setpoint intensity. The validation procedure used must have been determined by the State Department of Health to be capable of demonstrating the disinfection performance described above. (B) For systems utilizing quartz sleeves to separate the water passing through the chamber from the ultraviolet source, the system shall be designed to permit cleaning of the lamp jackets and the sensor window or lens without mechanical disassembly. For systems utilizing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface materials to separate the water that flows through the ultraviolet chamber from the lamps, the ultraviolet unit shall be designed to be readily accessible to the interior and exterior of the PTFE. The ultraviolet unit shall be designed to permit use of either physical or chemical cleaning methods. (C) An accurately calibrated ultraviolet light intensity meter, properly filtered to restrict its sensitivity to the disinfection spectrum shall be installed in the wall of the disinfection chamber at the point of greatest water depth from the tube or tubes. (D) An automatic system shall be installed to prevent flow to the features in the event the ultraviolet light intensity decreases below the validated set point. (E) An automatic, audible alarm shall be installed to warn of ultraviolet light disinfection system malfunction or impending shutdown. (F) The unit shall be designed to protect the operator against electrical shock or excessive radiation. (G) Installation of the unit shall be in a protected enclosure not subject to extremes of temperature. (H) A spare ultraviolet lamp and other necessary equipment to effect prompt repair by qualified personnel properly instructed in the operation and maintenance of the equipment shall be provided on-site.
(m)pH control. Mechanical feed equipment for the purpose of adding a chemical for pH adjustment shall be provided for all pools and spray grounds built. An automatic controller shall be provided for continuously monitoring and adjusting the level of pH in the spray pad treatment tank. The method of chemical addition shall protect the bather from contact with concentrated chemicals. Soda ash, caustic soda, sodium bisulfate, carbon dioxide gas, muriatic acid, or other chemicals approved for water supply use by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as food additives by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or by the Department, shall be used to raise or lower pool water pH. The method shall provide adequate distribution of the chemical throughout the pool and distribution shall be verified by pool water testing prior to bather exposure. Where carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as a method of pH control, the following features shall be provided: (1) CO 2 shall be injected into the recirculation pipe at the same point where pH adjustment solutions (i.e., acid) would normally be added. The recirculation pipe shall be of sufficient size and length to provide a minimum of five seconds contact time prior to bather contact.
(n)An automatic device shall be provided to deactivate chemical feeders when there is no flow in the recirculation system.
(o)Pool vacuum system and cleaning system (for pools). A cleaning system should be provided to remove sludge, sediment and other accumulations from the bottom of the pool. When a vacuum system is used as an integral part of the recirculation system, hose connections shall be located in the walls of the pool at least eight inches (8") below the waterline, and at such points that the floor of the pool can be cleaned with not more than fifty feet of suction hose.
(p)Spray Pad Treatment Tank (for spray grounds only). The spray pad treatment tank that receives the effluent water from the spray pad shall conform to the following specifications: (1) Material. The spray pad treatment tank shall be constructed of materials which are inert, corrosion resistant, nontoxic, and watertight such as concrete, fiberglass, stainless steel, etc., which can withstand all anticipated loadings under full and empty conditions.
