Swimming Pool Facility Legionella Prevention

Operators of public swimming pools are legally required to conduct risk analyses to prevent Legionella contamination among pool visitors. Legionella is a bacterium that can cause pneumonia and can multiply in warm water, such as whirlpools and hot water pipes in swimming pools.

Legionella prevention for swimming pool facilities is now governed by the Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving under the Omgevingswet, which replaced the former Besluit hygiene en veiligheid badinrichtingen en zwemgelegenheden on January 1, 2024. Provinces supervise compliance with this obligation and can take enforcement action in case of violations.

Requirements

  • Risk analysis: Conducting a Legionella risk analysis for the swimming facility
  • Management plan: Drawing up a Legionella management plan with preventive measures
  • Water temperature: Monitoring and control of water temperatures
  • Periodic checks: Regular testing of water for the presence of Legionella bacteria

Procedure

  • Prepare risk analysis: Have a qualified company conduct a risk analysis
  • Implement control measures: Implement the recommended preventive measures
  • Water monitoring: Perform regular water analyses according to the management plan
  • Documentation: Keep all analyses and reports for inspection by the province

Restrictions

  • Closure risk: If Legionella concentrations are too high, the facility may be closed
  • Notification obligation: Positive test results must be reported to the public health service
  • Frequency: The risk analysis must be periodically reviewed and updated