Enviro Labs Ltd

Swimming and Spa Pools Water Quality Examination

Swimming and spa pools have often been cited as causes of water borne disease. In order to safeguard the health of the users, the water quality of swimming or spa pools should be checked regularly.

Which parameters are required to be monitored regularly?

According to the Hong Kong Swimming Pools Regulation (Hong Kong Law Chapter 132CA Section 10), licensee of a swimming pool shall monitor the water quality of swimming pool regularly to ensure that it could meet the following standards:

Parameters Acceptable Limits (Hong Kong Law Chapter 132CA Section 10)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) Escherichia coli is absent in pool water samples of 100 mL each, taken at any time at any location in the swimming pool

Total Bacterial Count (37^OC 48hrs) the total bacterial count does not exceed 200 CFU per mL of pool water sample taken at any time at any location in the swimming pool

Turbidity the turbidity of water as expressed in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) does not exceed 5

Colour the colour of water as expressed in Hazen Units (PTU) does not exceed 5

pH a standard of pH value of not less than 7.0 and not more than 7.8

Besides, the residual chlorine level of swimming pool water should also be monitored regularly. If residual chlorine level is too low, the disinfection power is reduced; bacteria and viruses in the water could not be killed effectively. On the other hand, high concentration of residual chlorine would lead to eye and skin irritation (chlorine allergy) problems. Furthermore, high level of residual chlorine would increase the chance to react with organic matter in the pool water, forming carcinogenic chlorinated by-products. In general, it is recommended to keep the free residual chlorine level at 1 to 3 mg/L, preferably not more than 2 mg/L. If ozone disinfection system is used, the lower limit of free residual chlorine could be reduced to 0.5 mg/L, thus reducing the chance of chlorine allergy problem.

Why choose Enviro Labs?

	Enviro Labs is a HOKLAS accredited laboratory* for environmental testing.
	We provide high quality of testing services at competitive price.
	All the analyses are conducted according to the International Recognized Standard Methods (e.g. APHA, USEPA, ISO).
	Test report is available within 3 - 5 working days from date of sampling. Test report in Chinese is available on request.
	Data interpretation is included to help you to identify the water quality problems based on the test results.
	We will not leave you alone after the testing. If you have further questions about the testing, please call or e-mail us and our staff will answer your questions promptly.

* HOKLAS Scope of Accreditation of Enviro Labs

Analysis Package

Our package of analysis includes:

	E.coli
	Total Bacterial Count / Heterotrophic Plate Count
	Turbidity
	Colour
	pH
	Free Residual Chlorine

To safeguard the health of the pool users, we recommend to examine the water quality at least monthly.

Now we offer promotional discount for the inspection package. Interested parties please contact Mr. Kenneth Lam at 2676 2983 or e-mail to ell@envirolabs.com.hk for details.