Public Pools & Spas

Whether you are swimming in a public pool or enjoying a relaxing moment in a public spa, water recreation is a great way to have fun and stay healthy. Keeping that experience safe and healthy is the goal of Grant County Health District's Water Recreation Program. We permit and inspect all Grant County's pubic water recreation facilities, including pools and spas. Inspections focus on ensuring proper pool or spa chemistry is maintained to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses. Physical facilities are inspected for proper safety equipment in case of an emergency, proper construction to reduce accidents, and proper pool surveillance and doors, gates, and enclosures to prevent unsupervised entry by minors.

Questions or Concerns? If you have questions about pool or spa safety or permitting in Grant County, or a concern about a public facility, please contact one of our Water Recreation Safety staff by email or by phone at 509-766-7960.

NEW WATER RECREATION FACILITY ORDINANCE WENT INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2026!

The Grant County Board of Health approved a new Ordinance for Water Recreation Facilities. It is now in effect. The major changes to the Ordinance are:

  1. All reinspection will be billed per the current fee schedule. There will no longer be one free reinspection each year.
  2. A water recreation facility can request one free education visit each year. This is a voluntary, non-regulatory visit where GCHD staff can provide education and training to the facility's operators.
  3. If a WRF has reinspection fees that are more than forty-five (45) days delinquent, its permit to operate may be suspended. If a WRF has reinspection fees that are more than ninety (90) days delinquent, its permit to operate shall be suspended.

Please click here to see GCHD Ordinance 2025-06 for Water Recreation Facilities.

Permitting

Grant County Health District (GCHD) issues operating permits for water recreation facilities, but the WA Department of Health (DOH) does the plan review. Before a new water recreation facility can open, the owner must submit plans for review and approval to the WA Department of Health. More information can be found on their website: https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/water-recreation/regulated-facilities/construction-permit

After DOH approves the plans, you can apply to GCHD for an operating permit. GCHD Water Recreation inspectors will do a pre-opening inspection of the facility before issuing the permit to operate.

Inspection Reports

Inspection reports are “snapshots” of safe water recreation practices at the pool or spa during the time of inspection. Conditions may be different when you visit. Inspection reports for public pools and spas can be viewed by clicking here.

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act for Drain Covers

In 2008 the Federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) became effective. The VGBA requires all pool drain covers manufactured or sold in the United States to comply with new entrapment standards. VGBA also requires owners of all new and existing public swimming pool and spa suction outlet systems to install safety equipment, including ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 certified suction outlets and covers, designed to prevent entrapment.

Additional Documents

Forms

  1. Spa Wading or Recirculating Spray Pool Log (PDF)
  2. Swimming Pool Log (PDF)
  3. Water Recreation Illness Reporting Form (DOC)
  4. Water Recreation Injury Reporting Form (DOC)

Resources

  1. Fecal Incident Response Guidelines (PDF)
  2. Safe Pool Chemical Storage Poster (CDC) (PDF)
  3. Store Pool Chemicals Safely Poster (PDF)
  4. Use Pool Chemicals Safely Poster (PDF)
  5. Pool Chemical Safety Poster (CDC) (PDF)
  6. Shallow Water Lifeguard Training Information (PDF)
  7. Using Shallow Water Lifeguards or Attendants at Private Swimming Facilities (PDF)