Power Outage Guidelines

May 9, 2001

Power Outage Procedures for Swimming Pools

Due to the current power crisis, many areas may experience rolling blackouts this summer. During a blackout, swimming pool recirculation equipment will be inoperative, preventing the proper filtration and disinfection of the pool water. This can quickly lead to unsafe conditions such as cloudy water, inadequate sanitizer levels, and high levels of bacteria and other disease causing organisms. The California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 20, Article 3, Section 65525 requires that the recirculation system be in operation when the pool is available for use.

If you experience a power outage and your pool equipment is inoperative you should implement the following procedures:

Have bathers get out of the water.
Close the pool and post a closure sign.

The swimming pool may be reopened when the following conditions are met:

Power is restored.
The pool recirculation equipment is on.
After the pump and chlorinator have been on at least one hour to ensure proper sanitizer residual and/or when the free chlorine residual is at least 1.0 parts per million (1.5 ppm if using stabilizer). Check the sanitizer level as soon as possible.

If you have a pool that is not under constant supervision, such as a Homeowners' Association, it is recommended that you post power outage procedures in the swimming pool area.

After power is restored, be sure to reset the timers for the pumps, lights, and other equipment.

If you have any questions, please call John Wiggins, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, at 925-692-2500.

Content provided by Contra Costa Health Services, Environmental Health Division.