The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Releases the 2018 Model Aquatic Health Code

SOURCE: The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC)

Recommendations in the Model Aquatic Health Code can help reduce risk for disease outbreaks, chemical injuries, and drownings at public aquatic venues

The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) announced today that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2018 Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). This third edition of the MAHC includes important updates that cover emerging public health topics, such as Legionella decontamination and the design and operation of floatation tanks, and continuing challenges like noise reduction in indoor swimming pools.  

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. If followed, the guidelines in the MAHC can help reduce risk for disease outbreaks, chemical injuries, and drownings. CDC will release a new edition of the MAHC every three years moving forward.

"The 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 Doug Sackett, Executive Director of the CMAHC. "We were pleased to learn the 2018 edition of the MAHC incorporates 115 change requests submitted to CDC by the CMAHC.”

What's new?

The 2018 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.

What else you'll find on the MAHC website:

•  The 2018 MAHC including two documents - the model code language and the scientific rationale for recommendations.
•  A MAHC-based inspection form.
• A MAHC infographic, factsheet, and other health promotion materials.
• A tool to help users compare their pool code and practices to those the MAHC recommends.

Get involved

• Explore the MAHC website to check out the 2018 edition and supporting materials.
• Use the search function on the CMAHC website to search the MAHC using key words or topics.

• Join the CMAHC, which collects and votes on requested MAHC changes to recommend to CDC for final decision.
• Join the Network for the Model Aquatic Health Code and register for the webinar on July 24 at 1:00pm ET, which will feature CDC’s Dr. Michael Beach and include a discussion about the new edition of the MAHC.
• Help spread the word about the 2018 MAHC by sharing this information with colleagues through email, newsletters, and social media.

EXAMPLE TWEET: Check out updated #pool code guidelines from @CDCgov that can help protect people and save lives in 2018 Model Aquatic Health Code #MAHC www.cdc.gov/mahc

About the CMAHC

The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) was created to manage updates to, and promote voluntary adoption of, CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), the only all-inclusive national model pool code. The MAHC is kept sustainable, current, and complete because the people who use it also research, develop, discuss, and vote on proposed changes through membership in the CMAHC. The CMAHC submits these proposed changes to CDC as advice on how the MAHC needs to change to keep up with the latest science and best practices. Throughout the year, CMAHC staff educate local and state authorities, aquatic facility owners and operators, designers and builders, manufacturers, and suppliers about the MAHC and its potential to ensure a healthy and safe swimming experience for everyone. Learn more at www.cmahc.org.