PWTAG Technical notes are updates or new material for the standards and guidance given in the PWTAG book, Swimming Pool Water and the PWTAG Code of Practice and should be read in association with these publications.
PWTAG keeps pool operators up to date by providing guidance through these technical notes on the issues of the day.
Combining PWTAG’s specialist expertise and published scientific data, we aim to optimise swimming pool technical operation.
Preface for Technical Notes
HSE recognises the guidance offered by the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group Ltd (PWTAG) as a useful resource for pool operators when drawing up their operating procedures. Enforcing authorities (HSE and local authorities) consider this guidance as the standard to be achieved in effectively managed swimming pools. Non-compliance with this guidance may be taken into account by enforcing authorities when assessing whether appropriate standards have been met.
The opinions expressed within this Technical Note are personal opinions derived from individuals who represent the PWTAG Council and are supplied in good faith. PWTAG cannot be held responsible for any misunderstanding or subsequent misapplication of this information.
PWTAG Technical Notes Downloads
- Faecal contamination (Technical Note 2)
- Dealing with sodium hypochlorite spillage (Technical Note 5)
- Carbon dioxide for pH control (Technical Note 6)
- Interactive water features (Technical Note 13)
- Atmospheric determination of chloramines (Technical Note 16)
- Blood or vomit in the pool (Technical Note 17)
- Preventing and dealing with algae in pools (Technical Note 18)
- Superchlorination of swimming pool water (Technical Note 23)
- Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) dosing (Technical Note 24)
- Microbiological sampling (Technical Note 27)
- Notes on the hygiene of pool play equipment (Technical Note 29)
- Cryptosporidium – what pool operators need to know (Technical Note 30)
- Ultraviolet disinfection – specification, maintenance and validation (Technical Note 31)
- Balance tank design for deck-level pools (Technical Note 32)
- Gassing accidents (Technical Note 33)
- Cloudy water (Technical Note 34)
- Bunds for pool chemicals (Technical Note 35)
- Understanding breakpoint chlorination (Technical Note 36)
- Phosphate in pool water (Technical Note 37)
- Dechlorinating backwash water prior to discharge (Technical Note 38)
- Residual control (Technical Note 39)
- Choosing an acid pH correctant (Technical Note 40)
- UV installations in swimming pool plant rooms (Technical Note 41)
- Glass filter media (Technical Note 42)
- Swimming pool covers safety and operation (Technical Note 48)
- Swimming pool circulation pumps and variable speed drives (Technical Note 49)
- Swimming pool filter specification (Technical Note 50)
- Lowering pH: No Problem (Technical Note 52)
- Microbiological Testing (Technical Note 53)
- High flow rate water features at Leisure pools (Technical Note 58)
- Understanding and determining the importance of the active free chlorine content of the free chlorine test (Technical Note 60)
- Combined Chlorine – Understanding it and getting rid of it (Technical Note 61)
- Gas monitoring in the plantroom (Technical Note 62)
- Extending pool use (Technical Note 63)
- Monitoring pools remotely (Technical Note 64)
- Above ground temporary pools (Technical Note 65)
- Suction Entrapment In Spa Pools (Technical Note 66)
- Decorative Water Features (Technical Note 67)
- The handling, delivery, storage, and application of swimming pool chemicals (Technical Note 68)
- Hydrogen safety in electrochlorination (Technical Note 69)
- Glass in the pool (Technical Note 70)
- Ice Baths (Technical Note 71)
PWTAG Guidance Notes Downloads
PWTAG Technical Notes Archive
Coronavirus – Pools post lockdown
Since 19 July 2021 swimming pools and spas in England are, in theory, able to operate as they want. Like theatres, pubs and clubs, they are free to return to normal practice. The situation varies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where operators should consult the UK government website.
Accordingly, PWTAG has moved the many technical notes relating to Covid-19 – about closing and reopening pools etc – to the archive section below.
To operators concerned about the safety and effectiveness of ‘normal practice’ this report makes reassuring reading.