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 — effectively closing 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 200+ Chicagoland HOAs, condos, and clubs. We handle the credentials so your board doesn't have to.
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