PHTA and ICC Publish Revised Water Quality Standard
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the International Code Council announced the American National Standards Institute approval and publication of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-11 2026 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Hot Tubs/Spas.
The newly revised PHTA-11 standard provides recommended minimum guidelines for water quality in public pools and hot tubs/spas, intended to minimize health and safety hazards for bathers. This standard provides specifications for water quality parameters, but it does not specify the technologies needed to achieve these values. “The PHTA-11 standard is a vital document for the industry — not just as a stand-alone guide, but because of its impact on other industry standards and codes,” says Sabeena Hickman, president and CEO of PHTA. “We are grateful to the PHTA-11 Standard Writing Committee members and other subject-matter experts who ensured this document is accurate and comprehensive. We also appreciate our continued partnership with the ICC to align industry resources that protect pool and spa professionals as well as end users.”
The changes include a reorganization of content, most notably in Section 5 Parameters Impacting Disinfection and Public Health and in Section 6 Parameters Impacting Physical Properties of the Venue. Significant updates and clarification of scientific terms were made for the definitions for “contaminant,” “oocyst,” “protozoa” and more.
This standard covers public swimming pools and hot tubs/spas. In this case, the term “public” includes pools and hot tubs/spas to be used for bathing and operated by an owner, licensee or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use. More details about the classes of commercial/public swimming pools covered by this standard are included in the Definitions section. Pools designed for interaction with marine life are not covered.
The standard applies to pool service companies, certifying bodies, pool designers, public health and building code officials, local municipalities and pool and spa operators.
It is available to read here or purchase here. For more information, visit the PHTA-11 webpage, email standards@phta.org or call (703) 838-0083.
