The first edition of the Model Aquatic Health Code is now available: what's next?

The first edition of the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) was released on August 29, 2014, and is now available on the Centers for Disease Control and Preven­ tion’s (CDC’s) Web site (www.cdc.gov/mahc, see Figure 1). The MAHC is a set of free guide­ lines based on science and best practices to help jurisdictions reduce outbreaks, drowning, and chemical injuries at public aquatic facilities. The MAHC is a model—not a federal law—that local and state agencies can use to update or implement aquatic facility codes, rules, regula­ tions, guidance, laws, or standards. The MAHC is inclusive; it covers all health and safety issues by providing sample code language and ex­ planatory text addressing design and construc­ tion, operation and maintenance, and policies and management. The MAHC is voluntary; jurisdictions can use some, all, or none of the MAHC, and they can change any part of it to suit their needs (see Figure 2). MAHC development was a collaborative effort, stemming from a 2005 national work­ shop recommendation, between CDC and more than 140 volunteer experts from across the U.S. These experts included federal, state, and local public health officials; researchers; aquatics sector representatives and associa­ tions; building code officials; and certification organizations. The MAHC also went through two rounds of public comment and received more than 4,400 comments from stakeholders. In the U.S., no federal regulatory agency is responsible for aquatic facilities. Swimming pool programs have long been considered a core function of state or local health depart­ ments; 68% have programs that regulate, inspect, or license public swimming pools (National Association of County and City Health Officials, 2013). This has led to sig­ nificant variability in standards and require­ ments, as well as time and resources spent in individual jurisdictions as they create and update codes. The MAHC will help local and state agencies to incorporate science and best practices into their codes and pool programs and prevent the duplication of effort.