Birmingham, AL Swimming Pools & Spas: Safety Rules (2026)

For public swimming pools in Birmingham, the Jefferson County Department of Health Rules and Regulations Governing Public Swimming Pools and Spas set the operational maintenance standards. A chlorine residual test must be made at least three times daily, and at all times the pool is in operation the water must maintain a minimum free available chlorine residual of 1.5 ppm (unstabilized). The pH must never fall below 7.2 and should be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8, tested at least twice daily. Water clarity must be sufficient that a two-inch disc divided into red and black quadrants is clearly discernible through 15 feet of water, and turbidity may not exceed 2 ppm. All public pools must be cleaned and vacuumed daily (Section 8.17), and Appendix A sets the public-pool water-quality parameters (free chlorine 1.5 to 4.0 ppm). Pools are subject to regular operational inspections, and if conditions create a present or potential health hazard the pool must be closed until corrected and re-opening is authorized. Private residential pools are not subject to this monitoring regime, but the safety barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate, and lockable-access requirements of the adopted IRC Appendix G still apply.