Pool and Spa Testing
Pool and Spa Testing Services
Criterion provides pool and spa water testing for:
- Hotels and motels
- Wellness centers and gyms
- Municipalities
- School districts and colleges/universities
- Country clubs
- Water parks and private swim clubs
- Condominiums, apartment complexes, housing associations
Please check with your county to ensure you meet local requirements.
Collected samples are processed at our accredited lab and an electronic report of our findings is delivered to you. Non-compliant bacteriological results are reported promptly to you and to the appropriate regulatory authority.
Contact us today at (215) 244-1300 for a free quote and to discuss the testing services that best meet your needs.
Typical Testing Requirements
Pennsylvania | Pool or Spa | Coliform, pH, Chlorine* or Bromine |
Pennsylvania – Bucks County | Pool or Spa | Coliform, HPC, pH, Chlorine* or Bromine |
*Criterion will test for Chlorine
Helpful Resources:
FAQ
What are the legal water testing requirements for commercial pools and spas in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, all public and commercial swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs are strictly regulated under the Pennsylvania Public Bathing Place Manual (Title 28, Chapter 18) enforced by the PA Department of Health (PADOH) and local county health departments (such as Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties). Regulations mandate regular bacteriological and chemical parameter testing to ensure the water is free from pathogen amplification. Failing to provide accredited laboratory records can result in immediate facility closure, hefty municipal fines, and severe legal liability.
What specific biological and chemical parameters does Criterion Labs test for in pool water?
Criterion Labs provides comprehensive, accredited testing that covers both mandatory on-site physical chemistry and advanced laboratory microbiology:
- On-Site Field Analysis: Our certified technicians perform immediate, highly accurate field testing for pH and Residual Free Chlorine levels to verify active disinfectant residuals.
- Microbiological Laboratory Testing: We analyze collected water samples for critical public health indicators, including Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC), and Total Coliform/Escherichia coli (E. coli).
How does Criterion Labs handle a non-compliant or failed pool water test?
In commercial aquatic operations, speed is everything. If our laboratory detects biological contamination or a major chemical imbalance that violates Pennsylvania public health codes, Criterion Labs deploys our Prompt Non-Compliant Reporting Protocol.
We immediately contact your facility management team via phone and electronic alert while simultaneously generating your results report. This allows your aquatics director to instantly implement corrective actions. For bacteriological testing results exceeding the criteria, we are required to notify the appropriate district office of the Department or local health department within 24 hours of result availability.
Why should commercial properties utilize Criterion Labs instead of standard DIY test kits?
While daily chemical colorimeter strips are useful for basic maintenance, they are not legally sufficient for formal regulatory compliance or liability defense. Local health departments require third-party, accredited laboratory certification to prove your facility maintains sanitary standards.
Criterion Labs eliminates operational risk by providing:
- Independent Chain of Custody: Professional on-site sample collection by trained technicians eliminates employee testing bias or errors.
- Accredited Laboratory Documentation: Clear, electronic data reports that can be directly submitted to county auditors or insurance risk managers.
- Defensible Legal Protection: Third-party verification acts as your primary shield against personal injury or public health litigation.