The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2018 Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), which includes recommendations to help reduce risk for disease outbreaks, chemical injuries, and drownings at public aquatic venues.
This third edition of the MAHC includes important updates that cover emerging public health topics, such as Legionella decontamination, the design and operation of floatation tanks, and continuing challenges like noise reduction in indoor pools.
“The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) is committed to strengthening the MAHC based on science and best practices and promoting its use nationwide to protect the health and safety of swimmers, families, and workers at public swimming facilities,” said the CMAHC’s executive director, Doug Sackett. “We were pleased to learn the 2018 edition of the MAHC incorporates 115 change requests submitted to the CDC by the CMAHC.”
The latest edition of the MAHC includes structural changes, clarifying edits, and new or revised recommendations in the areas of disinfection and water quality; lifeguarding and bather supervision; and risk management and safety. A summary of key changes and a track changes version with line-by-line edits is available on the MAHC website.
The MAHC is a voluntary guidance document that brings together the latest knowledge based on science and best practices to help state and local government officials develop and update pool codes. The guidance is all-inclusive and covers design, construction, operation, and management of public aquatic facilities. Moving forward, the CDC plans to release a new edition of the MAHC every three years.
