In the Yukon, public swimming pools are governed by the Public Health and Safety Act through the Public Pool Regulations. Like the other territories, the Yukon focuses heavily on a permit-based system overseen by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs).
These regulations apply to all public pools, which include any pool open to the general public or members of an organization/club.
Operational Permits: No person can operate a public pool without a valid permit issued by a Health Officer. These permits must be prominently displayed at the facility.
Inspections: EHOs conduct regular inspections of chemical logs, safety equipment, and mechanical rooms.
Water Clarity: The water must be clear enough to see a 150 mm black disc on the bottom at the deepest point of the pool.
Bathhouse Requirements: Public pools must provide dressing rooms, toilets, and showers. The regulation specifies that water in showers must be between 32°C and 49°C.
The Yukon utilizes a combination of the territorial regulation and the National Guidelines for Healthy Recreational Water.
Disinfection: * Chlorine: Minimum free available chlorine (FAC) of 1.0 mg/L for pools.
Hot Tubs: Requirements are higher (typically 2.0–5.0 mg/L) due to the risk of Pseudomonas bacteria.
pH Levels: Must be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8.
Testing Frequency: Operators are required to test and record water quality at least three times daily, including a test before the pool opens to the public.
The Yukon aligns with the Lifesaving Society’s national standards for supervision.
Mandatory Lifeguards: All public pools must be under the continuous supervision of at least one certified National Lifeguard (NL).
Ratios: The number of lifeguards required scales with the number of bathers and the surface area of the water.
Safety Plan: Facilities are expected to maintain a site-specific safety plan that includes drowning response, chemical spill protocols, and fecal/vomit contamination procedures.
Specific safety rules apply to whirlpools in the Yukon:
Maximum Temperature: Water must never exceed 40°C.
Warning Signs: Must be posted advising pregnant women, elderly persons, and those with heart conditions to consult a physician before use.
Suction Safety: All suction outlets must have anti-entrapment covers.
Yukon Public Pool Regulations (Full Text): The official legal document governing pool safety and construction.
Yukon Public Health and Safety Act: The parent legislation for health hazards in the territory.
Environmental Health Services - Yukon Government: The primary contact for pool inspections and permit applications in Whitehorse and surrounding communities.
Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon: The branch responsible for setting lifeguard training standards and safety audits for Yukon aquatic facilities.
Note for 2026: If you are an operator in the Yukon, the Environmental Health Services office often provides specific "Log Book" templates that comply with territorial law. Using these pre-approved logs is the best way to ensure compliance during a surprise inspection.
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