(1) Pools, spas, and other water features shall be free from harmful levels of disease producing organisms, toxic chemicals, or adverse physical conditions.

(2) The water in pools, spas, and other water features shall meet the following standards of bacteriological quality:

(a) heterotrophic plate counts may not exceed 200 bacteria per milliliter in two consecutive tests;

(b) total coliforms or E. coli may not exceed an average of one coliform per sample of 100 milliliters in two consecutive tests when using the membrane filter test; and

(c) total coliforms or E. coli may not exceed 2.2 bacteria per sample of 100 milliliters of water in two consecutive samples when using the most probable number (MPN) method.

(3) Upon request by the department, the pool operator of a pool, spa, or other water feature must collect water samples for bacteriological or other testing for public health investigations. The department may also require that test samples be taken and analyzed by an independent laboratory with the results transmitted to the department from the independent laboratory.

(4) Water samples must be:

(a) collected, dechlorinated, transported, and analyzed in compliance with the procedures outlined in the twentieth edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (published jointly by the American Public Health Association, Water Environment Federation, and the American Water Works Association); and

(b) analyzed at a laboratory approved by the department.

(5) Not more than two consecutive samples in a one month period may exceed the levels set in these rules.