Ensuring Clean and Healthy Natural Mineral Waters For Hot Springs Resorts
BACKGROUND
Soaking in natural hot springs water is an unforgettable experience for bathers around the world. In the US alone, hundreds of thousands of bathers visit more than 250 commercial hot springs resorts every year. And the trend of seeking hot water soaks for wellness and relaxation shows no signs of slowing down.
Many bathers seek pure natural mineral water for health and wellness. These bathers want to keep hot springs water free of unhealthy bacteria and other pathogens. But they also don’t want the natural mineral water to be contaminated with harsh chemical disinfectants.
State regulations enforced by public health agencies often require owners of hot springs resorts to use chlorine and other chemicals to sanitize their mineral water. But some states also allow hot springs resorts to apply for a variance to this chemical chlorination rule. This variance allows hot springs to exchange the water in their hot springs pools for fresh mineral water several times a day, flushing out bacteria and other pathogens instead of killing the pathogens with chemical sanitizers.
THE PROBLEM—INCONSISTENT REGULATIONS FROM STATE to STATE
But there is a problem with these state variance laws. No two variances are the same. One state requires that hot springs resorts that don’t want to use chemical sanitizers must exchange all the water in their pools every two hours to get the variance. Other states require the water to be totally exchanged every eight hours. And some states say that the water must be exchanged once a day to get the variance.
Furthermore, states have different requirements for a weekly cleaning of the pools, where the pools are totally drained, pressure washed, and the walls of the pools are disinfected before refilling. Some states require this weekly cleaning every seven days, and some states require the cleaning every 72 hours. A few countries overseas even require draining and cleaning be performed every night.
Why is there such a large variation in the state regulations for flow-through water exchanges and deep cleaning? The Hot Springs Association interviewed most of the public health agencies in the western United States to find an answer to this question. Surprisingly, the Association found that none of the public health agencies knew how their regulations were developed. Many of the variances were put in place more than 30 years ago, and current health department staff have no memory of why particular flow-through exchange rates were chosen. And none of the states could point to any scientific research that had been conducted to determine the optimal exchange rates needed to keep the mineral water pure and healthy.
Without evidenced-based research on effective flow-through protocols, hot springs resort owners may face regulators who insist that only chemical sanitation can be used in resort pools. Or the regulators may require very frequent flow-through exchange rates that exceed the available mineral water supply at a hot springs resort. Using chlorine and other strong sanitation chemicals has proven effective at killing most pathogens and is the usual default for municipal swimming pools. But hot springs resort owners need proven natural alternatives that can go head-to-head with chemical sanitation systems.
THE SOLUTIONS— SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, TARGETED CERTIFICATION, and PROMOTION OF BEST PRACTICES
The Hot Springs Association focuses on three action areas that combine to provide the hot springs resort industry with valuable tools and resources.
Action Area One—Conduct evidenced-based Research to Support the Health and Safety of Mineral Water Recreation and Wellness.
An example of this research is examining protocols to determine the most effective flow-through systems for hot springs resorts. The Hot Springs Association is commissioning research managed by nationally recognized microbiologists with experience in testing for pathogens in recreational pools. This will be the first scientific study of different flow-through regimes at hot springs resorts in the US.
This research team will test flow-through options and different exchange rates, as well as different timing on deep cleaning protocols. Real world tests in hot springs pools will be conducted across several resorts in the western US. Pathogen concentrations in pools will be measured as different flow-through regimes are tested. Several hot springs resorts in the western US will be used for the field tests. A national testing laboratory in Arizona will independently test all gathered samples for the presence of bacteria. Rigorous national standards for sample gathering and analysis will be followed.
The results will provide evidence-based guidelines for hot springs resorts and public health authorities to use to set standards for flow-through systems. The Hot Springs Association intends to develop a national standard for flow-through exchange systems that can be adopted by hot springs resorts and regulatory agencies. This research will give hot springs resorts and public health authorities the assurance they need to keep hot springs facilities safe and healthy when using the prescribed flow-through regimes.
Other evidence-based research under consideration by the Hot Springs Association will address the desires by hot springs resorts for more validation of the health properties of specific minerals and qualities in the geothermal waters. The Hot Springs Association plans to conduct in-depth investigations into existing studies both nationally and worldwide, as well as commission research to fill in the gaps on questions related to health and wellness of mineral water composition and treatment protocols.
Action Area Two—Develop Certification Programs for the Hot Springs Resort Industry
Certification training has long been offered to swimming pool operators. These certifications are often required before a pool operator is hired to manage a swimming pool facility. However, no comparable certification programs have been developed that address the unique nature of mineral hot springs resorts.
The Hot Springs Association intends to fill this gap by developing its own or working with a partner to establish certification trainings and modules focused on hot springs resorts. By establishing standardized guidelines, professionals in the hot springs resort industry can become trained in best practices, ensuring that mineral waters' cleanliness and health benefits are preserved. This certification will serve as concrete evidence of expertise and authority within the hot springs industry. It will indicate that individuals possess the necessary knowledge and skills to handle hot springs water responsibly. Moreover, this certification acts as an assurance to the public and stakeholders that health and safety considerations are paramount, strengthening communication and relationships with regulatory bodies. Finally, this certification will instill confidence in consumers, encouraging them to enjoy the rejuvenating experience of hot springs resorts while knowing that stringent standards are met, promoting both the industry's growth and public well-being.
Action Area Three—Compile Best Practices and Case Studies
The Hot Springs Association will compile stories of successful hot spring resort developments, as well as information on experiences hot spring resorts have had in dealing with their local regulatory bodies on issues related to options to chemical sanitation. The Association will also compile information on industry issues related to all phases of resort management unique to the hot springs resort industry.
DISSEMINATION AND USE OF RESEARCH RESULTS
Upon completion of the flow-through research, the Hot Springs Association will develop and disseminate a new proposed national standard for natural mineral water flow-through systems that can be adopted by resorts and government agencies. The Association will also incorporate these new national standards into its educational materials. The Hot Spring Association also plans to work with the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) on incorporating new flow-through standards for hot springs pools into their guidelines.
The Hot Springs Association will seek out other venues for disseminating information about hot springs research and case studies of successful hot springs resort operations.
IMMEDIATE FUNDING NEEDS
Research and certification costs will include experimental design, data collection, and analysis of results and curriculum generation. Overall project costs are estimated to be between $180,000 and $250,000.