Terminology

Alkalinity

A measurement of the concentration of bases in water expressed as parts per million (ppm) or milligrams-per-liter (mg/L) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). These bases are usually bicarbonates (HCO3) and carbonates (CO3), and they act as a buffer system that prevents drastic changes in pH.

Artificial Bathing Lake

A man-made lake, lagoon or basin, lined or unlined, with an area equal to or greater than two acres (87,120 square feet), constructed and used or intended to be used for water contact recreation. This includes all recreational activities where there is a high probability of water ingestion and where related activities create a significant public health and safety risk. Such activities include, but are not limited to, wading, swimming, bathing, wind surfing, water skiing and jet skiing.

DPD Test Kit

A kit for measuring free, combined and total chlorine residuals, and bromine, ozone and other oxidizers in water using the reagent DPD (N, N-Diethyl-p-Phenylene Diamine).

pH

A measured water quality parameter that indicates the degree of acidity or alkalinity of water. The pH scale is from 0 to 14 with pH 7 being the neutral point, i.e., water with pH of 7 is neither acid nor alkaline, and it is neutral. Above pH 7.0 the water is alkaline and below pH 7 it is acidic.

PPM

An abbreviation for parts-per-million which is a measurement of concentration and which is equivalent to milligrams-per-liter (mg/L).

Private Residential Spa

A spa at a private residence used only by the owner, members of the owners' family and invited guests, or a spa that serves a housing group consisting of no more than 3 living units (e.g. duplexes or triplexes).

Private Residential Pool

A pool operated by an individual for his own or his family's use or for guests of his household, or by an owner, to serve a housing group consisting of no more than 3 living units.

Public Spa

A spa that is open to the public with or without a fee, including a spa that is operated by a community, municipality, political subdivision, school district, university, college or a commercial establishment whose primary business is the operation of a spa.

Public Swimming Pool

A swimming pool that is open to the public with or without a fee, including a pool that is operated by a community, municipality, political subdivision, school district, university, college or a commercial establishment whose primary business is the operation of a pool.

Secchi Disk

A 200 millimeter circular plate, which has opposite quarters painted gloss white and black.

Semi-Artificial Bathing Place

A natural bathing place that has been modified by man.

Semi-Public Spa

A spa operated for the residents of lodgings such as hotels, motels, resorts, apartments, condominiums, townhouse complexes, trailer courts, mobile home parks or similar establishments. A semipublic spa includes a spa that is operated by a neighborhood or community association for the residents of the community and their guests and any spa at a country club, health club, camp or similar establishment where the primary business of the establishment is not the operation of a spa and where the use of the spa is included in the fee for the primary use of the establishment.

Service Animal

An animal such as a guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.

Spa

An artificial basin, chamber or tank of irregular or geometric shell design that is intended only for bathing or soaking and that is not drained, cleaned or refilled for each user. A spa may include features such as hydrotherapy jet circulation, hot water, cold water, mineral baths or an air induction system. Industry terminology includes "hydrotherapy pool," "whirlpool," "hot tub" and "therapy pool."

Special Use Pool

A swimming pool intended for competitive aquatic events, aquatic exercise or lap swimming. A special use pool includes a wave action pool, exit pool for a water slide, swimming pool that is part of an attraction at a water recreation park, water volleyball pool or a swimming pool with special features used for training and instruction.

Splash Pad

A special use pool that has no standing water (i.e. a zero depth pool). Typically there are ground nozzles that spray water upwards, showers or other water features incorporated into the splash pad.

Swimming Pool or Pool

An artificial basin, chamber or tank, constructed and used, or intended to be used, for swimming, diving or bathing.

Wading Pool

A shallow pool used or intended to be used primarily for wading by small children.