The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the release of the 2024 Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC; 5th edition), which includes important updates to earlier editions.
- The Code document is model code guidance that aims to prevent illness and injury associated with public aquatic venues through venue design, construction, operation, and management.
- The Annex document is the scientific and best practices rationale on which the model code language is based.
U.S. local, state, territorial, and tribal officials can voluntarily use the MAHC to help reduce risk of pathogen transmission and injuries (including drowning) associated with public pools, hot tubs, or splash pads.
What's new?
A Sample of Key Changes Found in the 2024 MAHC:
- Portable slides are prohibited, as their location is not fixed and the water depth, landing area, and clear spaces are not ensured.
- Single pass splash pads are included as an interactive water play aquatic venue. This means they are subject to applicable MAHC design standards and construction, as well as facility operation and maintenance requirements.
- The aquatic venue diarrheal-stool contamination response in the presence of cyanuric acid (CYA) was modified to add dilution credits when draining and refilling to lower the CYA concentration.
- Artificial swimming lagoons design standards and construction, and operation and maintenance requirements are now included as a special venue.
Get involved
- Join the NACCHO and CDC MAHC Network, a community of MAHC users, subject matter experts, and those hoping to learn about the code (includes regular webinars).
- Help spread the word about the 2024 MAHC (5th edition) by sharing it with colleagues in your health department.
------------------------------
Anupama Varma MS
Communications Specialist, Environmental Health
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Washington DC
avarma@naccho.org------------------------------