The rules and regulations regarding the operation of a public bathing area are as follows:
"Public bathing area" means an impounding reservoir, basin, lake, pond, creek, river, or other similar natural body of water:
(a) With diluting water.
A minimum of 500 gallons per bather per day must be provided during the swimming season.
(b) With little or no diluting water.
(1) A minimum total area of not less than three acres (130,680 sq. ft.).
(2) A limited bather load of fifty persons per acre (875 sq. ft. per bather) must be maintained.
(c) Visibly marked bathing area shall provide a minimum of forty square feet per bather.
(d) That part of the bathing area which is five feet in depth must have a bottom of sand, gravel, stone, or other acceptable material to eliminate an unusual turbid (muddy) condition of the bathing water under normal use conditions.
(e) Safety precautions.
(1) Bathing and diving areas.
A. Clearly mark limits with conspicuous buoys or poles not over 100 feet apart. Bathing in waters of extreme depth should not be allowed.
B. Bottoms shall be free from holes, steep slopes, and sharp objects.
C. Water depth in diving area shall not be less than eight feet.
D. Bathing shall not be permitted during times of undue high turbidity caused by natural occurrences.
E. All equipment and appurtenances shall be maintained in good repair at all times.
(2) Bathing regulations.
A. Establish rules for safety of bathers.
B. Post regulations conspicuously along bathing area shoreline.
(3) Night bathing (if applicable).
Provide adequate illumination of bathing and diving area.
(4) Lifeguards.
A. Provide one or more qualified lifeguard(s) for each 300 lineal feet of bathing area shoreline.
B. Provide elevated lifeguard stations.
C. If no lifeguards are on duty, it must be posted conspicuously at the bathing area.
(5) Life rings.
A. Provide one or more life rings for each 300 lineal feet of bathing area shoreline.
B. Life rings shall be fifteen inches in diameter with seventy-five feet of rope stored on suitable racks.
C. Rings shall be of an approved design and construction.
(6) First aid equipment.
A. Provide first aid kit, blankets, and spineboard.
B. Telephone shall be available within reasonable distance.
(f) Sanitary Appurtenances.
(1) Bath houses.
A. Clearly marked dressing rooms for each sex shall be provided.
B. Showers for each sex are recommended.
(2) Toilet and hand washing facilities.
Toilet facilities for each sex must be provided and located adjacent to the toilet facilities.
(3) Water supply.
A. A safe and approved water supply must be provided.
B. Drinking fountains shall be provided.
(4) Miscellaneous.
A. Soap and toilet tissue must be available at all times.
B. Conveniently located rubbish containers must be provided.
C. Where night bathing is permitted, adequate lighting must be provided for the bath house and bathing area.
(g) Bacteriological Standards.
Interpretation of bacteriological results:
(1) No ideal test to determine water quality exists at the present time. All tools presently available are compromises. The objective and responsibility of public health personnel is to prevent transmission of communicable disease; sanitary surveys, bacteriological analyses, and observed experience in instances of disease are tools to be used for the guidance of judgement and evaluation of the suitability of a bathing place.
(2) If unusual unanticipated results are obtained by analysis, an effort should be made to determine the reason.
(Ord. 1994-101. Passed 5-23-94.)
CITY OF ASHTABULA