What Goes in a Pool Fecal Incident Response Log?

A pool fecal incident log should record when the poop was found, whether it was formed or diarrhea, the free chlorine and pH at that time, when the pool closed, the steps taken, and the readings before reopening. CDC's Water Contamination Response Log lists these fields, and Poolean keeps the readings, test photos, closure and reopening steps together on each pool's record. Start the response first, and have someone else write things down. CDC's Fecal Incident Response Recommendations for Aquatic Staff tell you to check your state or local rules first; CDC advice doesn't replace them.

What should you write down first?

Record the pool, the date, and when the poop was seen or reported. If nobody knows when it actually happened, write that.

CDC says to record whether it was formed poop or diarrhea. The two get different responses, so ask the trained operator if staff aren't sure.

Write the closure time and who closed the pool. CDC and MAHC 6.5.2.1 both say to close the pool right away. If other pools share the same filter system, they close too. Keep a swimmer's private details out of the general log.

Which water readings belong in the record?

CDC says to record free chlorine and pH at the time of the event, or when the poop was first seen.

CDC's log also asks whether a stabilizer is used in the water. CDC says stabilizers include cyanuric acid, dichlor and trichlor, and that they slow down how fast chlorine kills germs.

Record actual readings with their times. Mark missed readings as missing; never copy an earlier routine test into the "at closure" box. Routine ranges are covered in our commercial pool chlorine range guide; they do not replace the incident procedure.

What does a complete incident log look like?

This copy-ready table follows the fields on CDC's Water Contamination Response Log.

Field	What to write
Person doing the response	Name
Supervisor on duty	Name
Date and time of response	Actual date and time
Pool or area affected	Include pools on the same filter system
Number of people in the water	At the time it was found
Type	Formed poop, diarrhea, vomit or blood
Time the pool closed	Actual time
Stabilizer used?	Yes or no
Free chlorine and pH at closure	Reading and time
Free chlorine and pH during closure	Up to 4 readings, spread evenly across the closure
Free chlorine and pH before reopening	Reading and time
Date and time reopened	Actual date and time
Total contact time	See below
Steps used and notes	What the operator did, products used, who was called

CDC's log defines total contact time as the time from when the chlorine reached the target level until it was lowered again before opening.

Why do formed poop and diarrhea get different responses?

CDC's poop in the pool page explains that some germs die fast in chlorinated water and some do not. CDC's formed-poop steps are based on killing Giardia, which CDC says takes about 45 minutes to kill at 1 ppm free chlorine (at pH 7.5 or less and 77°F or warmer, with no stabilizer). Diarrhea is treated as a high-risk event for Crypto, which CDC says can live in properly chlorinated water for days.

How long does the pool stay closed?

The MAHC sets these minimum disinfection times before reopening:

Type	MAHC minimum before reopening
Formed poop	Free chlorine at 2.0 ppm for at least 25 minutes (6.5.3.1). With CYA in the water, double the time (6.5.3.1.1)
Diarrhea	Free chlorine at 20 ppm for at least 12.75 hours, or secondary treatment (6.5.3.2). With CYA, there are extra steps, such as lowering CYA first (6.5.3.2.1)

The timer starts when the pool reaches the target chlorine level, not when it closed (6.5.3.1.2). Our pool reopening checklist covers the checks after any closure.

CDC also says not to vacuum poop out of the pool; staff remove it with a net or bucket. Follow staff training, the chemical label and your health department.

Who should receive an incident report?

Keep a contact list with the supervisor, trained operator, property contact and health department. Ask the health department which incidents need a call, and record who you contacted and when.

If someone is hurt, has a chemical exposure or needs emergency help, follow the emergency plan and call emergency services. Don't wait for the report.

What does the MAHC say a facility should have ready?

MAHC 6.5.1 (check what your state adopted) says every facility should have a written contamination response plan for formed poop, diarrhea, vomit and blood. It also says:

• At least one person trained in that plan should be on site whenever the pool is open.
• The operator should check the cleanup supplies at least weekly.
• The plan should be reviewed at least once a year and kept on site.

What belongs in the reopening review?

CDC says to let swimmers back in only after the disinfection process is complete and free chlorine and pH are within the range your state or local rules allow. Record who checked the work, the readings, and the actual reopening time. If it runs across shifts, note what the next operator still has to do.

Poolean keeps water readings, test photos, closures and recorded reopening steps together for each pool. See its water and safety records or book a 30-minute call; trained staff and the health department still run the response.

The short version

• Close the pool, and any pool on the same filter system, and start the plan before paperwork.
• Record formed or diarrhea, free chlorine and pH at the time, and the closure time.
• Reopen only when the full process is done and readings meet your local rules.