Aquatic Facility Regulation and Guidance Reviews Life Saving Victoria Pool Safety Summit – October 2018 Suzie Sarkis Water Unit Department of Health and Human Services water@dhhs.vic.gov.au 1300 761 874

Public health and wellbeing legislation Purpose: Promote and protect public health and wellbeing in Victoria

Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 Part 6 Aquatic facilities Aquatic facility deemed open for use If any door or gate provided for access to the facility is open or unlocked and there are no conspicuous signs advising users that the aquatic facility is closed r. 36 Maintenance of aquatic facilities r. 37 Responsible person must ensure that any aquatic facility is maintained and tested in the manner set out in regulations 38 to 48 Water quality requirements r. 38-46 Aquatic facility records r. 48 Aquatic facility suspected or implicated as the source of infection r. 47 Enacted 2009 and sunset in 2019. They currently require: Sunsetting provides an opportunity to review and improve. Water quality requirements, record keeping requirements, outbreak requirements At this stage we aren’t proposing any changes to these water quality or record keeping requirements, outbreak requirements need some amendments

Review Process Part 6 Aquatic facilities 2017 2018 2019 Policy analysis Define policy problems Discussion paper to generate discussion/feedback Consultation: July 2018 Assess submission Draft policy options: November 2018 Regulatory impact statement Finalise policy options Regulations drafted RIS published/public consultation – Second quarter 2019 Regulations made Commence 16 December 2019

Review Process Part 6 Aquatic facilities Policy analysis Targeted consultation - Discussion paper to identify issues and seek feedback on regulations 22 submissions (3 government, 15 local government, 4 industry) 347 comments for review WE’ve been consulting since late 2017 So far we are still reviewing all the comments from the consultation phase in step 1. We consulted with Aquatics industry – ARV, LSV, industry forums, conferences etc Local gov – directly, MAV, EHPA, conferences Other stakeholders, government departments, jurisdictions

Consultation Feedback Public health hard reduction Regulations to address pathogen risk Clarification of definitions and responsibilities Who regulates? What facilities are included in the regulations? Risk based regulation Risk based categorisation of facilities Regulatory requirements are proportionate to the risk profile Adaptable to address existing and emerging risks We are tasked with developing feasible options to support what this would look like

Review Process Part 6 Aquatic facilities 2. Develop policy options – Seek feedback and data from stakeholders to inform the Regulatory Impact Statement Late November How? Targeted email – Survey Industry workshop – facilitated by ARV Other…. 3. RIS – public consultation with submissions analysed to inform the final drafting of the new regulations. Early to Mid 2019

Water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities MAHC – CDC US guidance Swimming pool water – Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) - UK

What’s new? Guidance to focus on water quality and facilities to develop risk management plans Refer legislation, Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation, Australian Standards to avoid duplication Aligned with Queensland (SA, ACT, TAS, NT likely to adopt) The concept of treatment validation (for manufacturers) Detail requirements in appendices – easier to update

Process Currently finalising the water quality guidelines for aquatic facilities Sought feedback/targeted consultation Redrafting taking into consideration feedback from consultation process Finalise and publish document in December 2018 On the horizon: Develop quick start/go to guides for facility operators to manage water quality What tools would help you achieve this? Competency and training of aquatic industry staff/regulators

Questions To submit feedback or for further information contact: Water Unit water@dhhs.vic.gov.au 1300 761 874