The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the International Code Council (ICC) are pleased to announce the publication of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-2 2026 American National Standard for Public Pool and Spa Operations and Maintenance following approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
The limited revision improves consistency and coordination across PHTA standards. To eliminate duplication, specific recreational water quality values were removed and replaced with references to ANSI/PHTA/ICC-11 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Hot Tubs/Spas, the authoritative source for the applicable technical requirements.
“This revision of the landmark PHTA-2 standard is an important step in ensuring alignment across all PHTA standards,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President & CEO of PHTA. “PHTA appreciates the hard work and attention to detail from the PHTA-2 Standard Writing Committee members who helped develop and refine these key guidelines for public pools and spas. PHTA is also thankful to continue our partnership with the ICC to harmonize industry resources.”
ANSI/PHTA/ICC-2 2026 establishes recommended minimum guidelines for the operation and maintenance of public swimming pools, spas, and other aquatic venues. It provides direction for all facets of a public aquatic venue, including water vessels, mechanical systems, chemical treatment systems, decks, and ancillary spaces.
“The publication of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-2 2026 reinforces the importance of a coordinated, up-to-date approach to public pool and spa operations and maintenance,” says Lisa Reiheld, Director, ICC PMG Technical Resources. “It improves consistency across the industry while providing operators with a clearer, more streamlined resource to support safe, healthy, and well-maintained aquatic facilities for the communities they serve.”
The standard reflects engineering principles, scientific tenets, and the industry’s standard of care. It was developed with input from a broad cross section of industry professionals, including:
- Health department officials
- Building department officials
- Commercial pool and spa architects, engineers, and designers
- Commercial pool and spa contractors
- Commercial pool and spa service companies
- Commercial pool and spa operators
- Commercial pool and spa management companies
- Public pool and spa certification course instructors
As an ANSI-accredited standards developer, PHTA followed its ANSI-approved consensus procedures, including required opportunities for public review and comment on the proposed revisions.
The new PHTA-2 standard is available to read here. For more information, visit www.phta.org/phta-2 or contact PHTA’s Standards Department at [email protected] or (703) 838-0083.
