American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Hot Tubs/Spas

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the International Code Council (ICC) are pleased to announce the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval and publication of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-11 2026 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Hot Tubs/Spas (PHTA-11).

The newly revised PHTA-11 standard provides recommended minimum guidelines for water quality in public pools and hot tubs/spas, intended to minimize health and safety hazards for bathers. This standard provides specifications for water quality parameters, but it does not specify the technologies needed to achieve these values. It is an essential set of specifications for public health officials as well as service and operations management companies.

“The PHTA-11 standard is a vital document for the industry—not just as a standalone guide, but because of its impact on other industry standards and codes,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President & CEO of PHTA. “We are grateful to the PHTA-11 Standard Writing Committee members and other subject matter experts who ensured this document is accurate and comprehensive. We also appreciate our continued partnership with the ICC to align industry resources that protect pool and spa professionals as well as end users.”

The changes to the standard include a reorganization of content, most notably in Section 5 Parameters Impacting Disinfection and Public Health and in Section 6 Parameters Impacting Physical Properties of the Venue. Significant updates and clarification of scientific terms were made for the definitions for “contaminant,” “oocyst,” “protozoa,” and more.

“The ANSI/PHTA/ICC-11 standard provides necessary guidance to pool and spa operators to ensure that they are providing a safe and healthy water environment to pool and spa users of all ages,” says Lisa Reiheld, Director, PMG Technical Resources, ICC. “Additionally, it provides consistency from one facility to another and leaves the guesswork out of maintaining the pool water quality for both the operator and the health department that is overseeing the health of the community.”

This standard covers public swimming pools and hot tubs/spas. In this case, the term “public” includes pools and hot tubs/spas to be used for bathing and operated by an owner, licensee, or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use. More details about the classes of commercial/public swimming pools covered by this standard are included in the Definitions section. Pools designed for interaction with marine life are not covered.

Federal, state, local, and international authorities, as well as industry members and consumers, recognize the need for modern, up-to-date standards governing the design, construction, alteration, repair, and maintenance of swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, aquatic facilities, and other water-containment vessels. Part of the ANSI/PHTA standards development process includes regular review of existing standards to ensure this need is met.

The PHTA-11 standard applies to pool service companies, certifying bodies, pool designers, public health and building code officials, local municipalities, and pool and spa operators.

The new PHTA-11 standard is available to read here or purchase here. For more information, please visit the PHTA-11 webpage, email [email protected], or call (703) 838-0083.

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. ICC codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, welcomes public review and comments on revisions to the ANSI/APSP/ICC-11 2019 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas. Public review is a fundamental part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards consensus development process.

The PHTA/ICC-11 standard provides recommended minimum guidelines for the specifications for water quality parameters in the public swimming pool and spa industry. It covers a range of values relating to various chemicals that are acceptable for pool and spa operation, and for purposes of public health and safety.

The draft revision of the standard is now available during the 45-day public review. The public review draft can be found on the PHTA website and includes updates and revisions to the language used to standardize water quality in public swimming pools and spas. The PHTA-11 Standard Writing Committee also reorganized the order and placement of content, notably in Section 6 and Section 7, while keeping stated parameters the same. 

This standard applies to pool manufacturers, builders, designers, retailers, U.S. public health and code officials, local municipalities, pool and spa operators, and service companies, as well as consumers who use these types of pools and spas.

PHTA invites all pool, spa, and hot tub professionals, as well as non-industry members, to review the revisions and submit comments for consideration. The ANSI public review period for the PHTA-11 standard was published in the ANSI Standards Action newsletter on October 24, 2025. All public review comments are due by December 8, 2025.

For more information on the draft standard, please visit the PHTA-11 webpage, email [email protected], or call (703) 838-0083. 

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

CLEMSON, SC (September 17, 2025) — The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of its recent TCNA Handbook Committee meeting, held earlier this month. Nearly 90 participants joined the meeting, reflecting strong industry engagement and support for the Handbook.

The TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation, now in its 63rd year of continuous publication, features guidelines widely used in specifying, selling, and installing tiles and related installation materials. The Handbook Committee Meeting is an important gathering of industry leaders to collaborate on potential updates to this essential resource, which is considered a must-have guide for tile installation in the U.S.

During the meeting, the committee approved several significant submissions that will impact more than 20 Handbook details and 3 guides in the upcoming 2026 edition of the TCNA Handbook. Notable updates include:

Nine new gauged porcelain tile and gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs Handbook
details

• Nine new gauged porcelain tile and gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs Handbook details
• Revisions to the Ceramic Tile Selection Guide, addressing specialty tile and product
  specifications
• Revisions to the Wet Area Guidelines, introducing a new definition for capillary breaks
• Revisions to exterior wall details (W201, W202E, and W244E), adding an option for
  continuous insulation

The committee also discussed new submissions related to elevator cabs and “step down” or “below slab” showers. These proposals are undergoing additional refinement and may be balloted electronically in the coming weeks.

“We are encouraged by the strong participation and positive engagement at this year’s meeting,” said Ryan Marino, TCNA’s Director of Standards Research and Development. “The approved updates represent important advancements that will support designers, specifiers, and installers across the industry.”

Looking ahead, the committee is exploring convening next year’s meeting in person, recognizing the added value of face-to-face collaboration.

About Tile Council of North America (TCNA)
TCNA is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials and other tile-related products. Established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America (TCA), it became the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) in 2005, reflecting its membership expansion to all of North America.

The Tile Council is recognized for its leadership role in facilitating the development of North American and international industry quality standards to benefit tile consumers. Additionally, TCNA regularly conducts independent research and product testing, works with regulatory, trade, and other government agencies, and publishes installation guidelines, tile standards, economic reports, and promotional literature.

For questions, please contact Roxanne Morris by calling (864) 646-8453.