Public Swimming Pools and Spas

This site provides information about the new safety and sanitation standards for pools, and link to other useful sites and information.

The Department of State Health Services Environmental Health Program, Local Health Departments, Local Code Enforcement Offices and other governmental jurisdictions help to provide safety and sanitation of public swimming pools and spas in the state of Texas. 

Coronavirus Information can be found at the following link and guidance document: 

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Link

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Guidance Document (PDF)

•  Per Governor Abbott's Executive Order issued May 5th, 2020, public swimming pools may be opened with certain protective measures in place:
  Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020: 
  • Cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons/shops, and other establishments where licensed cosmetologists or barbers practice their trade; provided, however, that all such salons, shops, and establishments must ensure at least six feet of social distancing between operating work stations.
  • Tanning salons; provided, however, that all such salons must ensure at least six feet of social distancing between operating work stations.
  • Swimming pools; provided, however, that (i) indoor swimming pools may operate at up to 25 percent of the total listed occupancy of the pool facility; (ii) outdoor swimming pools may operate at up to 25 percent of normal operating limits as determined by the pool operator; and (iii) local public swimming pools may so operate only if permitted by the local government.
    • Governor Greg Abbott Issues Executive Order To Expand Opening of Certain Businesses and Activities - Office of the Texas Governor
• Water Parks, both indoor and outdoor, are reopened on May 29, 2020 under guidelines issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services. CHECKLIST WATERPARK OPERATORS

Additional Resources: 

• CDC - Water Transmission and COVID-19 - Link
• CDC guidance on closing hot tubs/spas for extended periods of time has been updated to address aquatics sector feedback related to hot tubs/spas with a plastered finish, which could end up cracking if drained for a prolonged period of time. 
• CDC recommendations on reopening hot tubs/spas and other water systems have been updated to clarify that not every public hot tub/spa needs to be tested for Legionella before reopening.

Contact Information

Email: Katie Moore
Phone: (512) 834-6788
Fax: (512) 834-6707
DSHS Regional Offices

Mailing addresses are available on the contact page.