WA Health Department to issue 'Spray Park' guidance

The Western Australia Department of Health is developing laws for the operation of spray parks (also known as splash pads and 'zero-depth' water playgrounds) in Western Australia.

When agreed these laws will be delivered in two ways.

First, a set of generic guidelines are to be issued on the WA Health website - a draft, on which comment is invited, can be seen by clicking on the link below.

Second, a soon to be created Section 12, covering spray parks/splash pads/water playgrounds will be added to the Western Australia Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management and Maintenance of Aquatic Facilities.

Both documents have been developed in conjunction with the Western Australian Aquatic Facilities Working Group, a working group created to advise the Executive Director Public Health.

Aquatic industry suppliers are welcoming the prospect of this new guidance, highlighting the leading role that Western Australia has previously taken in the development of commercial pool guidelines and facility approvals along with WA being the only state that has legislative standards for commercial pool operations.

The construction and operation of water spray parks are considered to be a water body governed by commercial pool legislation in Western Australia.

Current WA Aquatic Facilities legislation can be viewed at www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/4196/2/Water%20spray-playgrounds.pdf

Image courtesy of Empex Watertoys.

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