Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 55-89 - Food, Lodging, and Recreation Safety
Chapter ATCP 76 - Safety, Maintenance, and Operation of Public Pools and Water Attractions
Subchapter III - Water Treatment Systems and Water Quality
Section ATCP 76.14 - Disinfectant or sanitizer feeding and residuals

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 76.14

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) GENERAL. Each pool in use shall be automatically and continuously disinfected by means of disinfectant or sanitizer and feeding equipment that is in compliance with this section and s. ATCP 76.13. P

(2) CHEMICAL USE REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Disinfectant or sanitizer-producing chlorine and bromine and other chemicals. Disinfectant or sanitizer-producing chlorine or bromine and any supplemental or alternative chemical used shall meet all the following requirements:
1. Registered with the United States environmental protection agency as a disinfectant or sanitizer, except algaecides shall be registered as algaecide. Pf

2. The product label is registered with the department. Pf

3. Has an effective residual that can be measured easily and accurately by an approved field test procedure. Pf

4. Is compatible for use with other chemicals normally used in the water treatment or is clearly identified as having a use limitation. Pf

5. Does not impart toxic properties to the patrons in the water when used according to the manufacturer's directions. P

6. Does not create an undue safety hazard when handled, stored, or used according to the manufacturer's directions. P

(b) Bromine. Bromine may not be used in a waterslide, pool slide, plunge pool, or wave pool without the department's approval.

(c) Cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid-containing disinfectant or sanitizer may not be used at an indoor pool, therapy pool, or whirlpool, beginning September 24, 2025.

(3) GAS CHLORINATION CYLINDERS. Gas chlorination cylinders shall be all the following:

(a) Upright. A cylinder shall be in an upright position and other container types shall be placed per manufacturer's instructions. Pf

(b) Chained. A cylinder shall be chained or strapped to a rigid support. Pf

(c) Moving cylinders. Cylinders may not be moved unless the protection cap is secured over the valve. Pf

(d) Tagged. An empty cylinder shall be tagged to indicate they are empty. Pf

(e) Valve.The cylinder valve shall be closed when in storage or empty. Pf

(4) CHEMICAL FEEDING. Disinfectant or sanitizer and filter aid feeding shall be conducted as follows:

(a) Positive displacement disinfectant or sanitizer feeding.
1. Liquid chemicals shall be fed into water circulation piping or a surge tank or vacuum filter by means of a positive displacement feeder either at full strength or diluted.

2. A 2-tank system shall be used, if calcium hypochlorite or another chemical that forms a residue is used. One tank shall be used for mixing the solution and settling the precipitate. The clear liquid shall be decanted or siphoned into the second tank for distribution. Pf

(b) Flow-through feeders. The chemical used, the manner of usage, and the quantity used in a flow-through feeder shall be as recommended by the feeder manufacturer. Pf

(c) Dry feeders. Feeders used for feeding dry chemicals into water circulation piping, a surge tank, or vacuum filter shall be maintained for proper operation. Pf

(5) CHEMICAL CONCENTRATIONS AND RESIDUALS.

(a) Minimum disinfectant or sanitizer residuals. Minimum disinfectant or sanitizer residuals shall meet the requirements pursuant to s. ATCP 76.14 Table A. P

(b) Cyanurates. All the following apply:
1. The water cyanuric acid concentration may not exceed 30 ppm. Pf

2. The pool shall be closed pursuant to s. ATCP 76.30 (1) (j), if the cyanuric acid level is above 300 ppm. P

(c) pH control. The water's pH shall be maintained within a range of 7.2 to 7.8. P

(d) Alkalinity. The total alkalinity of pool water shall be maintained between 60 and 180 ppm as calcium carbonate unless it can be shown by the operator that another level of total alkalinity produces chemically balanced water based on calculations approved by the department. Pf

(e) Combined chlorine.
1. The operator shall develop and implement a plan to minimize combined chlorine in the pool. Pf

2. The plan shall contain all the following components: Pf
a. The combined chlorine action level, taking into account monochloramine in the source water.

Note: It is recommended that an action level of 0.4 ppm be used for combined chlorine for either breakpoint chlorination or water replacement or a combination of both to occur.

b. Volume of pool.

c. Range of volume of fresh source water added to pool each day.

d. Description of showering requirements and how communicated to patrons.

e. A record shall be maintained documenting combined chlorine test results, date and times breakpoint chlorination was performed, and any complaints of eye or respiratory irritation.

(f) Maximum chlorine residual. The maximum chlorine residual in any pool may not exceed 10 ppm. P

(g) Maximum total bromine. The maximum total bromine in a pool may not exceed 10 ppm. P

s. ATCP 76.14 Table A Minimum disinfectant or sanitizer residuals in parts per million (ppm) -

Swimming and Activity Pools

Minimum Free Chlorine Residual

Total Bromine

Swimming and Activity Pool

1.0 ppm

3.0 ppm

Swimming and Activity Pool with Stabilizer

2.0 ppm

N/A

Swimming and Activity Pool with Electronic Monitoring Devices Present and Properly Functioning

1.0 ppm (with or without stabilizer)

3.0 ppm

Wading Pools

Wading Pool

2.0 ppm

4.0 ppm

Wading Pool with Stabilizer

4.0 ppm

N/A

Wading Pool With Electronic Monitoring Devices Present and Properly Functioning

1.0 ppm (with or without stabilizer)

3.0 ppm

Whirlpool, Exercise, Therapy Pools

Whirlpool, Exercise, or Therapy Pool

3.0 ppm

4.0 ppm

Whirlpool, Exercise, or Therapy Pool with Stabilizer

6.0 ppm

N/A

Whirlpool, Exercise, or Therapy Pool with Electronic Monitoring Devices Present and Properly Functioning

3.0 ppm (with or without stabilizer)

4.0 ppm

Water Attractions Other Than Those Specified

Water Attraction Other Than Those Specified

1.0 ppm

3.0 ppm

Water Attraction Other Than Those Specified with Stabilizer

2.0 ppm

N/A

Water Attraction Other Than Those Specified with Electronic Monitoring Devices Present and Properly Functioning

1.0 ppm (with or without stabilizer)

3.0 ppm

Plunge Pools and Wave Pools

Plunge and Wave Pool

2.0 ppm

3.0 ppm

Plunge and Wave Pool with Stabilizer

4.0 ppm

N/A

Plunge and Wave Pool with Electronic Monitoring Devices Present and Properly Functioning

1.0 ppm (with or without stabilizer)

3.0 ppm

Interactive Play Attractions

Interactive Play Attraction

2.0 ppm

3.0 ppm

Interactive Play Attraction with Stabilizer

4.0 ppm

N/A

Interactive Play Attraction with Electronic Monitoring Devices Present and Properly Functioning

1.0 ppm (with or without stabilizer)

3.0 ppm

Waterslides and Pool Slides

Waterslides and Pool Slides

2.0 ppm

3.0 ppm

Waterslides and Pool slides with Stabilizer

4.0 ppm

N/A

Waterslides and Pool slides with Electronic Monitoring Devices Present and Properly Functioning

1.0 ppm (with or without stabilizer)

3.0 ppm

(6) ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICES.

(a) Water potential. When oxidation potential controllers are used the water potential shall be kept between 650-900 mV. In addition to the requirements pursuant to s. ATCP 76.18 (3), if the water potential reads below 650 mV or above 900 mV, the operator shall manually test the pool water with an approved test kit. Pf

(b) Free chlorine, or bromine. For a pool equipped with an approved and properly maintained electronic monitoring device to control the disinfectant or sanitizer level and pH, the available disinfectant or sanitizer residual shall meet the minimum requirements pursuant to s. ATCP 76.14 Table A, and be tested pursuant to s. ATCP 76.18 (3). Pf

This section is created eff. 9-24-23 by CR 22-021.

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