Swimming Pools and Spas
The Southwest District Health swimming pool inspection program strives to help prevent injury and illness linked to aquatic venues through regularly occurring inspections and educational guidance for all public swimming pools. Water has the potential to cause gastrointestinal or respiratory disease transmission if water chemistry levels are not properly balanced, pool circulation equipment is not properly functioning, and/or swimmers with contagious illnesses are allowed to swim.
Rules and Regulations
Due to House Bill 202 during the 2025 Idaho legislative session, public swimming pools lost all forms of health and safety regulation in the state. This left it up to local municipalities to enact their own forms of health and safety regulation for public swimming pools.
In 2025 the Nampa City Council passed an ordinance adopting the Model Aquatic Health Code to be administered by Southwest District Health.
Public swimming pools within the City of Nampa that fall under this ordinance include municipal pools, gym pools, hotel pools, and commercial pools.
Private pools do not fall under this ordinance and include HOA pools, apartment pools, and backyard pools.
See the ordinance HERE
See the full Model Aquatic Health Code HERE
Education
A Certified Pool Operator (CPO) is required for all licensed public pools. Approved courses can be found at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance website here, https://www.phta.org/education-certification/cpo-courses/
Fees
Annual permit fee – $491
Plan Review for New Construction and Remodels – $747
Additional Information
Aquatics Professionals Toolkit – https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/toolkit/index.html
Responding to Pool Contamination – https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/response/index.html
Operating and Managing a Pool – https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/toolkit/operating-public-pools-hot-tubs-and-splash-pads.html