Public pool water norms in Alberta
In Alberta, free chlorine in a public pool must be at least 1.0 mg/L (water at 30 °C or less) or 2.0 mg/L (warmer water), and pH between 6.8 and 7.6.
Last verified: official text read, then re-read by a second reader, on 26 September 2026.
The values
Pool values, from the Public Swimming Pools Regulation and the Pool Standards, which form part of the regulation through its section 2. Free chlorine has a minimum only, no maximum.
| Parameter | Requirement | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Free chlorine, water at 30 °C or less | at least 1.0 mg/L | standard 4.1.1 |
| Free chlorine, water above 30 °C | at least 2.0 mg/L | standard 4.1.2 |
| Free chlorine, option with ORP kept at 700 mV or more | at least 0.5 mg/L | standard 4.2(a) |
| Free chlorine, option with ORP of 770 mV or more, pH of 7.3 or less and supplementary disinfection | at least 0.3 mg/L | standard 4.2(b) |
| pH | 6.8 to 7.6 | standard 4.4 |
| Total alkalinity | 60 to 180 mg/L CaCO₃, or levels at which the chlorine and pH requirements can be met | standard 4.5.1 |
| Cyanuric acid, outdoor pool | 50 mg/L or less | standard 4.6(a) |
| Cyanuric acid, indoor pool | May not be used or be present | reg. s. 14(3) |
What this page does not cover
Alberta’s pH range (6.8 to 7.6) differs from that of most other provinces (7.2 to 7.8): it was read twice.
For a stand-alone wading pool, the minimum free chlorine is 2.0 mg/L regardless of temperature (standard 4.1.3). The table does not repeat clarity, water temperature, turbidity (required if the health officer asks for it) or bacteriology: read them in the texts.
Source
- Public Swimming Pools Regulation, Alta Reg 204/2014 (Public Health Act), consolidation to 31 July 2026, and Pool Standards, July 2014 (amended January 2018) — Source: Alberta King’s Printer —
kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2014_204.pdf(Regulation and standards)
To be confirmed with the authority. The official text prevails. These values are copied from the cited source as of the date shown; rules change, and a public health inspector may require more. Confirm them in the text before relying on them.
Tracking your water logs
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