Safety & Compliance
The CDC-recommended protocol for closing, treating, and reopening a pool after a fecal contamination event. Required documented procedure at every Illinois semi-public aquatic facility.
Fecal incidents fall into two CDC categories: formed stool and diarrheal. Formed stool requires immediate pool closure, stool removal, chlorine elevation to 2 ppm for 25 minutes, and reopening once chemistry returns to range. Diarrheal incidents (higher Cryptosporidium risk) require closure for 12.75 hours at 20 ppm chlorine, which effectively closes the pool for the rest of the day. Illinois IDPH inspects for a written fecal response plan and documented training on it. Aqua-Guard carries a printable fecal response procedure card in every service kit.
You cannot chlorine-shock your way out of a diarrheal incident in an afternoon. Cryptosporidium is chlorine-tolerant.
The bather who had the incident isn't banned, but the specific response procedure is mandatory.
`Closed sign on the gate` is not compliance; chemistry and time at target are the compliance standard.
Where this shows up at Aqua-Guard
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Related terms · Safety & Compliance
VGB Drain Cover
A federally certified suction-outlet cover that prevents entrapment hazards in public and semi-public pools. Named after the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (2007).
Bather Load
The maximum number of swimmers permitted in a pool at one time, calculated from surface area and depth. Illinois IDPH requires the number to be posted at every semi-public facility.
Aqua-Guard runs certified commercial pool operations for Chicagoland HOAs, condos, and clubs. We handle the credentials so your board doesn't have to.
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