Model Aquatic Health Code
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) is a set of guidelines intended to prevent injury and illness at public aquatic venues, such as pools, hot tubs, and splash pads, and created in a collaborative effort between public health officials and aquatics sector leaders.
The MAHC Network is a community for MAHC users, subject matter experts, and those hoping to learn about the code itself. Members will receive updates on the code, have access and provide input to newly developed resources, and join bi-monthly webinars featuring the code and users.
| Date | Title | Description | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | Increased Risk Aquatic Venues: Understanding and Preventing Outbreaks | Join guest speaker Dewey Case, Technical Director for the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code on May 26 from 2:00–3:00 PM ET, where Dewey will provide an overview of waterborne disease outbreaks associated with increased-risk aquatic venues. He will highlight how pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Naegleria fowleri pose a serious threat when maintenance, design, policy, and routine operations fall short. Attendees will gain practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce risk and improve water safety systems. | Register here |
| March 2026 | Cold Plunge Pools and Safety Measures | Sarah Cheshire, REHS is an Environmental Health Scientist for the Utah Department of Health. She presented on cold plunge pools and provided a comprehensive history of cold plunge therapy across various cultures, discussed the physical and mental health benefits, and outlined significant health risks including the cold shock response, hypothermia, and cardiovascular stress. She shared insights from her personal experience at a cold plunge facility and explained current regulations in the state of Utah. The presentation concluded with an overview of operational considerations including disinfection challenges, water balance issues, and the need for proper signage and supervision. | Webinar Recording Slides Webinar Q&A Resources shared during webinar |
| May 2025 | Freshwater Beach Monitoring: Best Practices, Challenges, and Future Goals | This presentation provided a comprehensive overview of Ottawa County’s freshwater beach monitoring program in Ohio. The webinar covered what it takes to operate a successful monitoring program, including best practices, challenges, and optimal outcomes. Additionally, the presenters outlined their goals for the program’s future. | Webinar Recording Slides |
| February 2025 | Latest Model Aquatic Health Code Updates | The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code discussed key changes in the latest version of the MAHC. The 5th Edition was released on December 16, 2024. CMAHC provided a brief explanation of the MAHC revision process, and the changes that jurisdictions can expect to see in the updated CDC aquatics guidance. | Webinar Recording Slides |
| May 2024 | Creativity, Compliance, and Outreach in Water Safety (feat. Columbus Public Health) | Columbus Public Health (CPH) is a recipient of the Pool Safety grant from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which seeks to improve water safety, prevent drownings, and drain entrapments in accordance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. CPH discussed the water safety issues that Columbus, Ohio faces, and how CPH has been able to address these issues, improve drain cover compliance, and establish better community rapport through creativity and residential outreach. | Webinar Recording Slides |
| February 2024 | Using Environmental Health Data to Inform Pool Regulatory Efforts in the City of Long Beach, California | The City of Long Beach (California) Water Quality Program is utilizing environmental health data to evaluate an intervention conducted for lower-compliance public pools and spas. The intervention includes a self-inspection checklist used by pool operators and their maintenance staff to increase awareness, knowledge, and compliance. Learn about the City of Long Beach’s results to date and lessons learned along the way for other health departments looking to do similar work. | Webinar Recording Slides Webinar Q&A |
| December 2023 | Waterborne Infectious Disease Burden and Recreational Water-Associated Illness in the United States | CDC speakers discussed the latest research on the burden of waterborne infectious disease, with a particular focus on estimates and prevention of recreational water-associated illness. Learn about how the CDC has created a suite of prevention resources, including the MAHC, to help prevent recreational water-associated illness. | Webinar Recording Slides Webinar Q&A |
| July 2023 | Implementation of the Model Aquatic Health Code in Pueblo County, CO | The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment shared their experience adopting the MAHC in 2022 and implementing the new codes after adoption. They also shared best practices and lessons learned for local jurisdictions who are looking to do the same. | Webinar Recording Slides Webinar Q&A |
| May 2023 | Swimming Safe with the Latest Edition of the Model Aquatic Health Code | Local jurisdictions joined NACCHO, the CDC, and the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code to review the latest changes to the 4th edition of the MAHC and look to the 5th edition update cycle to learn how local health departments can contribute to submitting change requests. | Webinar Recording Slides |
| February 2023 | Indoor Air Quality in Swimming Facilities: Dynamics of Gas-Phase Trichloramine | Trichloramine is a disinfection byproduct found in chlorinated swimming facilities from reactions between chlorine and the body waste of swimmers (e.g., sweat and urine). Exposure to trichloramine has been linked to asthma and can irritate respiratory airways, skin, and eyes. In this webinar, attendees learned the importance of taking steps to prevent gas-phase trichloramine production in their indoor pool facilities. | Webinar Recording Slides |
| November 2022 | Interim Guidance for Safe Operation of Artificial Swimming Lagoons | The webinar describes how artificial swimming lagoons work, and the interim guidance developed in collaboration with the CMAHC Ad Hoc Committee, the CDC, and partners, on design and construction as well as operation and maintenance of the lagoons. | Webinar Recording Slides |
| May 2022 | Considerations for Increased Risk Venues | To promote healthy and safe swimming, this webinar highlights increased risk venues such as spray pads, wading pools, and therapy pools. CMAHC discuss what makes a venue increased risk and how these risks can be mitigated using guidance from the MAHC. | Webinar Recording Slides |
| February 2022 | Provisional Model Aquatic Health Code Updates | The CDC discusses change requests provisionally accepted by the agency for the 4th edition of the MAHC. | Webinar Recording Slides |
For more MAHC Network webinars, visit NACCHO's YouTube Playlist.
Follow the instructions below to join the MAHC Network and receive announcements about upcoming webinars and other opportunities.
- Log in to MyNACCHO (or create a free account).
- Go to “My Subscriptions.”
- Check the box next to "The Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) Network" (and any other e-newsletters you wish you receive).
- Click “Save” at the bottom of the page.
Join our Community of Practice
NACCHO's MAHC Network Community of Practice provides a space for individuals who are interested in, or work with, MAHC. This community forum can be used to share information, best practices, and resources relevant to MAHC, and allow for participants to virtually network with others who work in this area of public health. To join, go to https://virtualcommunities.naccho.org/communities/allcommunities and search for "Model Aquatic Health Code Network."
Have questions? Email [email protected].