Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs

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Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools

Regulation Amending the Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools

The Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools (RQEPABA) came into force on July 2, 2025. The amendments pertain to sections 7, 9 and 22.4 of the RQEPABA and are intended to ensure consistency with a proposed amendment to Chapter X of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (French). These are terminology-related amendments that will allow for references to shared concepts and ensure that the two sets of regulations are complementary: official publication (French, PDF, 245 KB) on July 2, 2025, effective July 16, 2025.

Le The Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools came into force on January 1, 2007, replacing the Regulation respecting public wading and swimming pools. This regulation is designed to provide a framework for water quality monitoring through the application of quality standards and the requirement to perform regular monitoring and maintain a record.

To better understand the Regulation

The official text
The Interpretation Guide (French, PDF, 660 KB)
The pamphlet which summarizes the main requirements (French, PDF, 758 KB)
The Guide on methods for taking and preserving samples (French, PDF, 96 KB)

Here are some tools to ensure the optimal operation of pools subject to the Regulation

Guide for operating swimming pools and other artificial pools (French, PDF, 4.2 MB)
Information sheet on best practices for public spas (French, PDF, 127 KB)
Summary of best operating practices (French, PDF, 41 KB)

The Ministère makes record templates available in order to facilitate the work of those responsible for pools that are subject to the Regulation

Intended for those responsible for public or semi-public and private pools serving more than 50 dwelling units (French, Word, 41 KB)
Intended for those responsible for private pools serving between 10 and 50 dwelling units (French, Word, 32 KB)

You can also access tools to educate bathers or your employees on the importance of maintaining good water quality

Interior pools

Hygiene measures for bathers
- Full poster
  11 x 17 format (French, PDF, 1,7 MB)
  24 x 32 format (French, PDF, 3,2 MB)
- Simplified poster
  11 x 17 format (PDF, 781 KB)
  24 x 32 format (PDF, 1,4 MB)
- Small poster: showers
  8 ½ x 11 format (PDF, 667 KB)
  11 x 17 format (PDF, 2.6 MB)
The operator’s regulatory requirements
- Poster
  11 x 17 format (French, PDF, 116 KB)

Outdoor pools

Hygiene measures for bathers
- Full poster
  11 x 17 format (French, PDF, 1.7 MB)
  24 x 32 format (French, PDF, 3.4 MB)
- Simplified poster
  11 x 17 format (PDF, 906 KB)
  24 x 32 format (PDF, 3 MB)
- Small poster: showers
  8 ½ x 11 format (PDF, 624 KB)
  11 x 17 format (PDF, 1 MB)

The operator’s regulatory requirements
- Poster
  11 x 17 format (French, PDF, 119 KB)

We encourage you to download these posters, print them and display them where they can be seen by users and staff members.

You can also consult reports and other useful references

Report on the advisability of amending the Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools (French, PDF, 558 KB)
Study of the microbiological contamination of public spas in Québec (French. PDF, 1.6 MB)
Impact of four methods for treating swimming pool water on disinfection sub-product concentrations: an exploratory study
Santé mieux-être portal: Preventing Health Problems Associated with Bathing Waters (information intended for the general public)

If you have questions at any time concerning the Regulation, do not hesitate to contact your regional office of the Ministère.