New Swimming Pool Water Regulations Effective January 1, 2023

6 September 2022

The Environment Act is new legislation that has been in the works for quite some time, and its effective date is fast approaching. This new law will consolidate and modernize current environmental laws, including regulations for swimming pools: the Whvbz and the associated Bhvbz. The change in legislation has implications for swimming pool owners: there is more freedom for innovation and the ability to develop a customized management plan, but with stricter regulations. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these implications. [Edit]: It has since been announced that the implementation of the Environment Act has been postponed to July 1, 2023.

Change

Detailed rules and regulations have been replaced by end goals. These goals have been set to demonstrate that the swimming water is hygienic and safe. There is a duty of care: pool operators must ensure that the water and the air in an enclosed space are not harmful to visitors’ health. Pool operators must draw up their own risk assessment and management plan. This change allows more room for their own ideas and innovation.

Quality Requirements

The new regulations still specify a number of parameters that a swimming pool must meet. Some parameters have been newly established, others have been tightened, and still others have been replaced. If a measurement fails to meet the quality requirements for a parameter on the first, second, and third attempts, the operator is required to close the swimming pool until a new measurement shows that the parameter once again meets the requirement.

Environmental Act

The Explanatory Memorandum to the Implementation Decree of the Environment Act sets out the ultimate objectives and the corresponding parameters. Chapter 15 (page 392) contains general rules for providing opportunities for swimming or bathing in swimming pools.

July 1, 2023, is an important starting date; from this date onward, the law will be applied in practice. You can find more information about the Environmental Act on the Dutch government’s website.

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