Swimming

Swim Admission and Supervision Standards

For all recreational swims and rentals:

Children 6 years of age and under

Regardless of swimming ability, must be directly supervised (within arm’s reach) at all times by a responsible person 14 years or older.  A responsible person 14 years or older may assume responsibility for up to 2 persons aged 6 years of age and under requiring direct supervision

Children 7 through 10 years of age

Must successfully complete the Facility Swim Test (2 uninterrupted widths of the pool) before they may swim without direct supervision (within arm’s reach) of a responsible person 14 years or older*

Regardless of swimming ability, children 7 through 10 must be accompanied in the facility (maintaining visual contact) by a responsible person 14 years or older*

Individuals with serious medical conditions are at greater risk while swimming. They should be accompanied by another individual knowledgeable of their condition(s) and responsible for their direct supervision

*A responsible person 14 years or older may assume responsibility for up to 3 children 7 through 10 years of age requiring direct supervision

Shower Before You Swim!

The City of Burlington Pools maintain clean, safe water for swimming through filtration, disinfection using sodium hypochlorite, and the daily addition of fresh water – but we need your help too! Please remember:

It’s CLEAN

Pollutants are introduced to the pool water by bathers themselves – bringing with them traces of urine, fecal matter, mucus, dead skin and dirt. Products such as hairspray, lotions, oils, deodorant and ointments are also present. Without a shower, these pollutants end up in the pool water.

It’s GREEN

Showering reduces the amount of pollutants entering the pool, which in turn reduces the amount of chemicals used in the disinfection of the pool water. The result is less frequent backwashing and deep cleaning of the filtration systems – which requires additional chemicals and then discharges treated water to the sewer systems.

It’s the LAW

Owners and operators of public swimming pools in Ontario must fulfill the legal requirements stated in Regulation 565/90 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. The regulation represents a mandatory minimum for safe operations of swimming pools. The Act states that:

Every bather shall take a cleansing shower of bath using soap and warm water before entering the deck.