PWTAG was established as an independent entity in December 1984, the year that the Department of the Environment Sub-Committee on the Treatment of Water in Swimming Pools was wound up, Like that sub-committee, PWTAG has a membership drawn from a wide range of relevant statutory, voluntary and professional organisations with an interest in pool water treatment and pool users.

PWTAG is able to pursue its work without any commercial or other influence. It is a focus for debate and improvement in operational and management standards in an area which comes under significant financial and political, as well as technical pressure.

PWTAG has a major role in the treatment and quality of public and private swimming pool water, through:

• monitoring and advising on important issues and developments - infections, pool management, pre-swim hygiene, new processes etc
• reviewing existing advice and publications - on design, spa pools, cryptosporidiosis, filtration, asthma etc; PWTAG was one of the authors of the WHO guidelines on pools
• publishing books, reports, guidance notes and press releases - on pool atmospheres, interactive water features etc; and including our definitive book, Swimming Pool Water
• research projects - on Cryptosporidium filtration etc
• developing standards and legislation - including a BSI Code of Practice based on our book.

This work covers water in all swimming and spa pools whether under public or private ownership and management. PWTAG's brief includes research; work on guidelines and standards; product assessment; advice to pool managers and operators as well as to local authorities (particularly environmental health), industry etc.

Some of the issues addressed by PWTAG arise from within the group; many come from outside - either as specific requests and suggestions or as a consequence of PWTAG's advisory role. In general, PWTAG acts as a ginger group, a focus for debate and improvement in management and operational standards.

In March 2009, to coincide with the publication of the new edition of Swimming Pool Water, PWTAG Ltd was established – a company limited by guarantee. That month also saw the highly successful Pool & Spa Conference organised by PWTAG in London.