The Environmental Health Specialist follows specific steps when inspecting the swimming pools in Johnson County:

1. On arrival at the swimming pool property, the inspector looks around the general area to get an overview of the site and to observe any potential safety hazards.
    
2. The pool water is tested for free chlorine and pH. Free chlorine is the chlorine available to disinfect the water. pH is a measure of the acidity of the water. Below are the levels at which the chemicals should be maintained.
    

   Type of Pool	Range of Free Chlorine	Range of pH
   Swimming or Wading Pool	1.0 to 3.0 part per million	7.2-7.8
   Spa (Hot Tub)	2.0 to 5.0 parts per million	7.2-7.8

   
    
3. If there is a spa (hot tub) at the property, the maximum temperature allowed is 104º Fahrenheit. There is no minimum temperature for pools or spas.
    
4. After recording the chemical readings on the inspection form, the pumps and filters in the mechanical room are observed. If a flowmeter is present on the filter, the flow rate in gallons per minute is recorded on the report. A flowmeter is required on new construction or modifications of existing equipment. There are specific flow rates needed to turn over the water of the pool within the required periods stipulated in the Johnson County Environmental Sanitary Code (Article 5, Section 1).
    
5. A Licensed Pool Operator (LPO) is required for each pool. During the inspection a review of the daily chemical readings that the LPO has recorded is completed to see if there have been any long-term trends in the chemical readings of the pool. In addition, the inspector verifies that the pool chemicals are being stored in a safe matter.
    
6. After inspecting the pump room, the inspector walks around all of the pools to look for problems or safety concerns. At the time of the walkabout, he will check the stability of all ladders and handrails.
    
7. After completing the survey of the pool, the inspector will fill out the inspection report for the property. Anything that is found to be in violation of the Johnson County Environmental Sanitary Code is noted on the inspection report.
    
8. If the pool was in operation before the Johnson County Environmental Sanitary Code was passed in the city in which the pool is located, the pool is "grandfathered" in and does not have to make structural changes to meet the county code. However, if any additions or modifications are made to the swimming pool or equipment, the pool has to meet all of the code.
    
9. A copy of the inspection report will be emailed to the facility. A copy is also kept in the JCDHE files. All inspection data is entered into a database making a pool property's inspection history easy to track.