Public pool water norms in Québec
In Québec, free chlorine in an indoor pool must be between 0.8 and 2.0 mg/L and pH between 7.2 and 7.8, under the Règlement sur la qualité de l’eau des piscines et autres bassins artificiels (the regulation on water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools).
Last verified: official text read, then re-read by a second reader, on 26 September 2026.
The values
Pool values, from sections 5 and 6 of the regulation. Wading pools are “pools” within the meaning of section 4: the same norms apply.
| Parameter | Requirement | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Free chlorine, indoor pool | 0.8 to 2.0 mg/L | s. 5 |
| Free chlorine, outdoor pool | 0.8 to 3.0 mg/L | s. 5 |
| Free chlorine, water above 35 °C | 2.0 to 3.0 mg/L | s. 6 |
| Chloramines, indoor pool | 0.5 mg/L or less | s. 5 |
| Chloramines, outdoor pool | 1.0 mg/L or less | s. 5 |
| Total bromine | 2.0 to 5.0 mg/L | s. 5 |
| Total bromine, water above 35 °C | 3.0 to 5.0 mg/L | s. 6 |
| pH | 7.2 to 7.8 | s. 5 |
| Alkalinity | 60 to 150 mg/L CaCO₃ | s. 5 |
| Cyanuric acid, outdoor pool | 60 mg/L or less | s. 5 |
| Cyanuric acid, indoor pool | Not permitted | s. 5 |
| Turbidity | 1.0 NTU or less | s. 5 |
What this page does not cover
The table does not repeat water clarity (section 7, which does not apply to wading pools), testing frequencies (sections 9 and 10), immediate-closure thresholds (section 17), bacteriology, or oxidation-reduction potential values. Read them in the regulation.
For a disinfectant other than chlorine or bromine, the regulation requires the same residual disinfecting power: see the text.
Source
- Règlement sur la qualité de l’eau des piscines et autres bassins artificiels (Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools), CQLR c. Q-2, r. 39 (French text, current to 1 May 2026) — Source: Légis Québec —
www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/document/rc/Q-2,%20r.%2039(Regulation)
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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