Creating the MAHC: Technical Committees

Each Technical Committee examined existing technologies and methodologies in the appropriate jurisdictions of their respective committees. The Technical Committees determined the scientific basis, if any, for existing recommendations and criteria; identified scientific information gaps; and outlined data that were needed to support future science-based revisions. The final product was intended to be a performance-based Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) that is national in scope, data driven, and created using the best available science and engineering practices.

It was recognized that Technical Committees may overlap on certain issues. The Steering Committee determined which committee had primary responsibility for assigning roles in these overlap areas. Committees serving in a secondary role contributed thoughts and ideas on the focus area, but the overlap areas were a secondary part of those Technical Committee activities. The Technical Committee serving as the lead ensured regular communication between all Technical Committees having an overlap area. For example, the Disinfection & Water Quality Committee had primary responsibility for looking at disinfection methodologies. However, disinfectant and pH levels were important secondary considerations for other committees such as Monitoring & Testing, Filtration & Recirculation, and Contamination Burden. These committees had to be in regular communication with the lead Technical Committee, Disinfection & Water Quality Committee. The MAHC Coordinator and the Steering Committee Liaisons also ensured appropriate communication between Technical Committees to help avoid unnecessary effort and/or duplications. The MAHC Strawman [PDF - 14 pages] included markers delineating the integration points for each technical committee.

• Technical Committee Chair Duties [PDF - 2 pages]
• Technical Committee Rules of Engagement and Instructions [PDF - 1 page]

• Sample Agenda (Initial Call) [PDF - 1 page]
• Sample Agenda (After Initial Call) [PDF - 1 page]
• Monthly Progress Report [PDF - 2 pages]

• MAHC Module Submission Coversheet [PDF - 1 page]

For more information please visit the  MAHC Development page.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Ellen Meyer, Arch Chemicals
• Vice Chairperson: Steve Spence, County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, California
• Steering Committee Liaison: Lee Tate, CDC

Members

• Anthony Carotenuto, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
• Richard Carroll, Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc.
• Jose Gonzalez, Orange County Department of Health, Florida
• Jeffrey Kosik, Walt Disney World Company
• John Paccione, New York State Department of Health
• Llew Withers, Department of Health, Western Australia

Scope of Work

The Contamination Burden Technical Committee scope of work will be quite different from the other committees, since no specific section of the code will be drafted by this technical committee. The Contamination Burden Technical Committee will provide data to assist other technical committees in specifying performance requirements related to contamination burden (i.e. bather load). The committee will summarize existing information on the two primary composite contaminant types: particulates and chlorine demand. The other committees can then provide the models to calculate the capacity of the filtration, circulation, and chemical feed systems needed to protect public health. It is expected that limited data will prevent the other committees from making concrete, data-based decisions on removal rate requirements, but those areas may become topics for future research. The Contamination Burden Technical Committee will summarize existing data and point out areas where data are lacking.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Jim Dingman, Underwriters Laboratories
• Vice Chairperson: Tracynda Davis, Davis Strategic Consulting, LLC
• Steering Committee Liaison: John Linn, Busch Entertainment Corporation

Members

• Susan Campbell, Oklahoma City/County Health Department, Oklahoma
• Beth Hamil, DEL Ozone
• Tony Leigh, ATG UV Technology
• Jeffrey Sloan, American Chemistry Council
• Raj Solomon, New Mexico Environment Department
• Duayne Stansbury, Warren County Combined Health District, Ohio
• Terri Stroupe, City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation, North Carolina
• Roy Vore, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

Scope of Work

The Disinfection & Water Quality Technical Committee will examine disinfection methodologies including: types, disinfectant concentrations, stabilizers, supplemental disinfection processes or devices, feed equipment, controllers, pH, and water quality testing methods. The committee will also provide water quality recommendations, including: sampling and analysis, chemical and microbial quality, water clarity, water temperature, and saturation index.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Carl Nylander, Counsilman-Hunsaker
• Vice Chairperson: Rob Morgan, Sunbelt Pools
• Steering Committee Liaison: Colleen Maitoza, Sacramento County Environmental Mgmt Dept.

Members

• Steve Andrews, Nemato Corporation
• Scott Bowron, City of London, Ontario
• Keith Cooper, McClure Engineering
• Michael Grimes, Main Line Commercial Pools, Inc.
• James Hogan, Dectron, Inc.
• Robert Jelinek, Badger Swimpools, Inc.
• Peter Jen, Ohio Department of Health
• Randy Mendioroz, Aquatic Design Group
• Alvaro Mendoza, Commercial Energy Specialists
• Paul Sisson, Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality
• Stephen Springs, Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects

Scope of Work

The Facility Design & Construction Technical Committee examines the physical design and construction requirements of the pool and associated structural facilities, such as filter rooms and chemical storage areas. Committee responsibilities include: the design/construction aspects of the pool shell (shape, design, slope), decks, lighting, electrical, fencing, pool entry/egress, safety markings, diving boards, starting blocks, slides, food/drink facilities, drinking fountains, water supply, piping, drainage (including recirculation systems and appurtenances), sewerage systems, cross connections, and ambient temperature control.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Michael Beatty, Disney’s Caribbean Beach and Pop Century Resorts
• Vice Chairperson: Darby van Conover, Splash Universe Indoor Waterpark Resorts
• Steering Committee Liaison: Lee Tate, CDC

Members

• Susan Campbell, Oklahoma City/County Health Department
• James Cunningham, Interstate Hotels and Resorts
• Carvin DiGiovanni, Association of Pool and Spa Professionals
• Deborah Fennel, Smugglers Notch Resort
• Bob Foster, Florida Department of Health
• James Hogan, Dectron, Inc.
• Jeffrey Kosik, Walt Disney World Company
• John McIlhargy, USA Swimming
• Garth Miner, Utah Department of Public Health
• David Roberts, Penn State University
• Geoff Rogers, The Morey Organization
• David Schwartz, Water’s Edge Aquatic Design

Scope of Work

The Facility Maintenance & Operation Technical Committee examines all aspects that are required for the aquatic facility to be maintained and operated in a safe and sanitary manner to reduce illnesses and injuries. These aspects include: preventive maintenance; maintaining structural integrity of the facility; providing recommendations for seasonal start-up and closure procedures; routine maintenance procedures during the operating season for facility cleaning and disinfection, including food and beverage service areas; ensuring proper operation and maintenance of disinfection, lighting, ventilation, and electrical equipment; and record keeping requirements.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Ralph Cordell, CDC
• Steering Committee Liaison: Tracynda Davis, Davis Strategic Consulting, LLC

Members

• Lynita Docken, Wisconsin Department of Commerce (Retired)
• Bruce Flippens, DC Government Department of Health
• Perry Fox, Pennsylvania Department of Health
• Brian Hodges, LMC Hospitality/Kinseth Hospitality
• Dean Hyatt, Six Flags Great Escape
• Robert Jelinek, Badger Swimpools, Inc.
• Jodi Jensen, Hampton University
• Ted Kelly, Architectural Foundations and Pools

Scope of Work

The Hygiene Facilities Technical Committee examines requirements established to provide and maintain hygienic safeguards at aquatic facilities, including: provision of showers and changing areas, toilet facilities, diaper changing areas, hand washing areas (with respect to location/distance/access and size/number), trash collection and disposal, and signage. The committee will also review the cleaning and disinfection of these and other areas (such as bathhouse floors and walls).

Leadership

• Chairperson: M. Kathryn Scott, University of California, Berkeley
• Vice Chairperson: Roy Fielding, University of North Carolina
• Steering Committee Liaison: Douglas Sackett, New York State Department of Health

Members

• Richard Carroll, Jeff Ellis & Associates
• Dewey Case, Family YMCA of Southeast Mississippi
• Darby van Conover, Splash Universe Indoor Water Park Resorts
• James Cunningham, Interstate Hotels and Resorts
• Patrick Daugherty, Forsyth County Department of Health
• John Hunsucker, NASCO
• Daniel Jones, City of Norfolk
• Stephen Keiffer, Oregon Department of Human Services
• Frank Pia, Pia Consulting
• William Rich, City of Aurora CO, Aquatics Admin.
• Kay Smiley, YMCA
• Jill White, Human Kinetic/Starfish Aquatics Institute

Scope of Work

The work of the Lifeguarding / Bather Supervision Technical Committee will include lifeguard qualifications and training, staffing of lifeguards and attendants, provision of lifeguard equipment and placement requirements, safety training (CPR, AED, etc.), first aid equipment and facilities, and guidance for unguarded facilities.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Vincent Hill, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Vice Chairperson: Diane Miskowski, EMSL Analytical, Inc.
• Steering Committee Liaison: Bob Vincent, Florida Department of Health

Members

• Neal Bloomenrader, Wyoming Dept of Agriculture
• Scott Bowron, City of London, Ontario, Canada
• Kevin Boyer, Aquasol Controllers
• Sung Choe, NSF International, Recreational Water Program
• Jason Hammond, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
• Tom Metzbower, Taylor Technologies
• John Pinckney, Cornwell Central School District
• Joe Sweazy, Hach
• Christopher (Culin) Tate, CAT Controllers, Inc.
• Robert Tuttle, Tuttle Training Solutions
• Tom Vyles, City of Plano Health Department

Scope of Work

The Monitoring & Testing Technical Committee will examine water quality issues, including: sample collection, sampling locations, testing equipment, and sample analysis for the various disinfection methodologies, microbial quality, chemical quality, water clarity, temperature, saturation index, recirculation effects, and other special requirements.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Dennis Berkshire, Aquatic Design Group
• Vice Chairperson: John Whitmore, City of Denton, Texas, Instructor for AFO Instructors
• Steering Committee Liaison: Douglas Sackett, New York State Department of Health

Members

• Tracynda Davis, National Swimming Pool Foundation
• Tom Donaldson, Aquatic Training Institute
• Connie Harvey, American Red Cross
• Michele Hlavsa, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dean Hyatt, Six Flags Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom
• Steve Kraft, Westcon Construction
• Colleen Maitoza, Sacramento County, California
• Carl Ralph, American Swimming Pool & Spa Association
• Kay Smiley, YMCA of the USA
• Joe Stefanyak, Jeff Ellis & Associates
• Mohamed Yasin, Florida Department of Health

Scope of Work

The Operator Training Technical Committee will determine the essential components that must be covered in all operator training courses, operator qualifications, and operator certification requirements. Recommendations will be given for additional training needs, management, record keeping, staffing, certification verification, re-certification, and, where appropriate, continuing education (based on facility size and venue type). Individual courses will not be reviewed; instead, a list of essential components will be developed.

Operator Training Technical Committee's Meeting Minutes

• January 29, 2009 [PDF - 1 page]
• January 15, 2009 [PDF - 1 page]
• December 12, 2008 [PDF - 1 page]
• October 16, 2008 [PDF - 1 page]
• September 30, 2008 [PDF - 1 page]
• September 18, 2008 [PDF - 1 page]
• September 5, 2008 [PDF - 1 page]

Leadership

• Chairperson: James Amburgey, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Vice Chairperson: Roy Fielding, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Steering Committee Liaison: Chuck Neuman, Water Technology Inc.

Members

• Michael Beatty, Disney’s Caribbean Beach and Pop Century Resorts
• Susan Campbell, Oklahoma City/County Health Department
• Joe Carpenter, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Barry Gertz, Neptune Benson
• Garth Miner, Utah Department of Public Health
• David Schwartz, Water’s Edge Aquatic Design
• Kimberly Walsh, EP Minerals
• Mohamed Yasin, Florida Department of Health

Scope of Work

The Recirculation & Filtration Technical Committee will examine filter types and performance criteria, recirculation methodologies, equipment designs, and operating systems, including: inlets, overflow systems/gutters, skimmers, bottom drains/main drain systems, piping, pumps and strainers, flow control, flow rates/turnover, disinfection, water levels, stabilizers, feed equipment, water quality, sampling techniques and locations, and other filtration and recirculation aspects that may affect water quality.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Frank Guido, Westchester County Health Department, New York (Retired)
• Steering Committee Liaison: Tracynda Davis, Davis Strategic Consulting, LLC

Members

• Neal Bloomenrader, Wyoming Department of Agriculture
• Scott Bowron, City of London, Ontario, Canada
• Gary Fraser, Washington Department of Health
• Madeleine Gelsinon, Norumbega Point at Weston Independent and Assisted Living Community
• Clyde Hegerfeld, Midwest Pool Supply
• Tressa Madden, Oklahoma Department of Health
• Daryl Matzke, Ramaker & Associates
• Tom Vyles, City of Plano Health Department

Scope of Work

The Regulatory Program Administration Technical Committee develops guidance for health department-related, administrative aspects of aquatic facility concept, design, and operation. These aspects include: initial facility planning, permitting requirements, plan submission, plan review/approval/changes, facility alterations, equipment replacements, regulatory inspections, pool closures, and posting of public information.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Amy Duck, Walt Disney World Company
• Vice Chairperson: Kelly Bernish, Sea World of Florida, Inc.
• Steering Committee Liaison: Amanda Long, New York Dept. of Health

Members

• Maria Bella, Professional Pool Solutions, LLC.
• James Cunningham, Interstate Hotels and Resorts
• Carvin DiGiovanni, Association of Pool and Spa Professionals
• Claudia Duncan, Barton College
• Lee Engvall, The Pool & Spa House
• Chevelle Glymph, District of Columbia Department of Health
• Jason Hammond, Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park
• Janina Jarvis, Disneyland Resort, Environmental Affairs
• Karin Mack, CDC Injury Control
• Ellen Meyer, Arch Chemicals
• Mick Nelson, USA Swimming
• Barry Rice, Ohio Department of Health
• Kay Smiley, YMCA

Scope of Work

The Risk Management / Safety Technical Committee will collaborate with all other applicable technical committees to ensure that safety-related aspects are addressed appropriately. Topics covered by this committee focus on chemical handling and storage requirements, including: operator training for chemical handling; chemical security; emergency protocol procedures; response plans for leaks, spills, or other accidental chemical releases; chemical disposal; availability of MSDS; record keeping requirements; and reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The committee will also address other safety aspects including, user guidelines/signage (for example, diving boards, starting blocks, slides), emergency response and communications plans, severe weather closing, safety inspections, water depth, supervision requirements, pool water temperature, and other safety criteria.

Leadership

• Chairperson: Franceen Gonzales, Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.
• Vice Chairperson: Richard Cavestri, Imagination Resources
• Steering Committee Liaison: Douglas Sackett, New York State Department of Health

Members

• Chip Blatchley, Purdue University
• Susan Campbell, Oklahoma City/County Health Department
• Lilia Chen, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Keith Coursin, Desert Aire
• Jim Dunn, Aquatic Development Group
• Kevin Dunn, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Mike Groves, Menerga, Ltd.
• Michele Hlavsa, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• TJ Liston, YMCA of Central Virginia
• John McIlhargy, USA Swimming
• Mark Moore, Splash Universe Indoor Waterpark Resorts
• Chuck Neuman, Water Technology, Inc.
• Jeff Radue, Ramaker & Associates, Inc.
• Steve Vehige, McClure Engineering

Scope of Work

The Ventilation & Air Quality Technical Committee will examine both the outdoor and indoor environmental requirements needed to provide appropriate air quality, including: lighting, windows and natural lights, light levels, ventilation, contamination burden, water chemistry, air quality, mechanical systems, facility heating, humidity control, monitoring and testing, record keeping, and design and construction aspects affecting the ventilation and air quality.

The MAHC Steering Committee would like to acknowledge and thank the individuals who were committed enough to volunteer their time on MAHC technical committees to move the MAHC process forward.

• Terry Arko, SeaKlear Pools: Disinfection & Water Quality Technical Committee
• Steve Ashworth, CL Marketing, Inc.
• Chris Baugh, Swimming Pool Technical Services: Facility Design and Construction
• Benny Burleson, Burleson Pools: Facility Design and Construction
• Cory Cloward, Cloward H2O: Facility Design and Construction
• Jerry Cormier, Montana Department of Public Health: Disinfection & Water Quality and Lifeguarding and Bather Supervision Technical Committees
• Scott Coughlin, City of Phoenix, Arizona: Regulatory Program Administration Technical Committee and Monitoring and Testing Technical Committees
• Wayne Crokus, Ellis & Associates: Operator Training Technical Committee
• Mike Fabiani, International Hot Tub Association: Recirculation and Filtration Technical Committee
• Brian Freber, Water Technology, Inc.
• Lorraine Forston, Southern Nevada Health District, Nevada: Operator Training Technical Committee
• Bob Foster, Florida Department of Health: Facility Design and Construction
• Chris Gordon, Virginia State Health Department: Risk Management Technical Committee
• Frank Goldstein, Chesapeake Aquatic Consultants, LLC: Facility Maintenance and Operation Technical Committee
• Steve Hawksley, Neptune Benson
• Joe Hunsaker, Counsilman & Hunsaker: Contamination Burden Technical Committee
• Leon Marquart, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, Nebraska: Disinfection & Water Quality Technical Committee
• Robert Morgan, Sunbelt Pools: Risk Management & Safety Technical Committee
• Mark Pabst, Florida Department of Health: Operator Training Technical Committee
• Bob Pryor, Florida Department of Health: Disinfection & Water Quality Technical Committee
• Ron Robol, Pentair Water
• Raj Solomon, New Mexico Environment Department: Operator Training Technical Committee
• Greg Stockton, American Red Cross: Operator Training Technical Committee
• John Weber, Advantis Technologies, Inc.: Contamination Burden Technical Committee