June 2007 Issue

RWQ Committee Introduces the Inaugural Issue of New Digital Newsletter for Public Health Officials
RWQ Committee Chair Geoffrey Brown announces an outreach to public health officials (PHO) including this new digital newsletter, a new education module on recreational water illnesses, and a new national water chemistry standard. Read more.

New Draft National Water Quality Standard Completed; Next Step is ANSI Approval Process
The RWQ Committee has completed a new draft standard APSP-11 Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas. The standard covers the critical water chemistry parameters needed to operate a public pool or spa in the best interests of public health. An extensive appendix provides justifications for the values. Public health officials are invited to participate on the ANSI review. Read more.

Recreational Water Illness Educational Program Being Presented at NEHA Conference
RWIs present a health threat to all users of aquatic venues because pathogens are prevalent in recreational water, but RWIs can be prevented through education programs and improved operator training. The RWQ of the APSP will premier a training module on RWIs at the NEHA Conference in June to educate PHOs and pool professionals about this largely preventable problem. Read more.

Ask the Experts Column
Increases in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) can be an indicator of a decline in water quality. In this issue we answer your questions about how and why limits have been set for TDS. Read more.

Readership Feedback and Inquiries Invited
Your inquiries and feedback are welcome. RWI, FAC, LSI, WBDO, TC.* The terminology and operations of swimming pools and spas can be confusing, especially if you are only around the facilities occasionally.

The APSP “Recreational Water Quality” newsletter is written by industry experts for public health officials. It covers water quality issues related to human health and safety in the aquatic environment including pool/spa sanitation, water treatment processes, and microbiological issues. Technical reviews and “Ask the Expert” articles are based on reader inquiries and feedback. Got a problem, send us an email. Solved a problem or learned a life lesson the hard way, share it in “Lessons learned.” Send us a note (app. 1000 words) and help others with similar problems. Together we can make swimming pools and spas safer and healthier for everyone.

Contact us at (jsmith@APSP.org). We may not be able to respond to every problem but we read each one.

*  RWI:       Recreational water illness
   FAC:      Free available chlorine
   LSI:        Langelier Saturation Index
   WBDO: Water borne disease outbreak
   TC:         Total chlorine

Recreational Water Quality is published digitally four times a year for public health officials by The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP). Public Health Officials who wish to receive Recreational Water Quality should send an email with their name and email address to: jsmith@APSP.org. Each issue of Recreational Water Quality is also available for general viewing  on the APSP website: www.APSP.org

Roy Vore, Ph.D., DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise, Chair, Editorial Board
Geoffrey Brown, Bio Lab, Inc. a Chemtura company, Chair, RWQ Committee
Al Pastore, N. Jonas & Co., Inc.
Stan Pickens, Ph.D., PPG Industries, Inc.
Tom Seechuk, LaMotte Company
Jeanette Smith, APSP

If you have any questions or comments, please email jsmith@APSP.org  or call 703.838.0083, ext. 127.

© 2007 by The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without written permission.