The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the International Code Council have released the latest version of their water-quality standard.
ANSI/PHTA/ICC-11 2026 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Hot Tubs/Spas (shorthanded as PHTA-11), provides recommended minimum guidelines for water quality in public pools and hot tubs/spas, intended to minimize health and safety hazards for bathers.
While specifying parameters, it does not prescribe the technologies to achieve them.
Changes include a reorganization of content, especially in Section 5: “Parameters Impacting Disinfection and Public Health,” and Section 6: “Parameters Impacting Physical Properties of the Venue.” Significant updates and clarification of scientific terms were made for the definitions for “contaminant,” “oocyst,” “protozoa,” and more.
The standard applies to pool service companies, certifying bodies, pool designers, public health and building code officials, local municipalities, and pool and spa operators.
