The National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates the quality of water in all licensable aquatic facilities with water recirculation system in Singapore, which include swimming pools, water playgrounds (including interactive water fountains) and multi-use spa pools located at all non-residential premises.
Licensing and Lab Test Results Submissions
All licensable aquatic facilities will require an AF licence to operate, under the Environmental Public Health (Licensable Aquatic Facilities) Regulations 2021 [PDF, 121.4 KB]. The definition of all 3 types of licensable AF can be found in the Environmental Public Health (Licensable Aquatic Facilities) Order 2021 [PDF, 83.93 KB].
Upon obtaining the licence, the licensee will be required to ensure that the water quality of their AF complies with the regulatory limits stipulated in the Regulations by arranging for the AF water to be tested in a testing laboratory accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) and submitting water quality test results to NEA at the frequency stipulated in the Regulations.
Licence application and the submission of water quality test results for the licensed AF are to be submitted online via GoBusiness. Step-by-step user guides can be found as follow:
- Step-by-step User Guide on AF Licence Application [PDF, 1MB]
- Step-by-Step User Guide on Aquatic Facility Lab Result Submission [PDF, 3MB]
The standard excel template for AF lab test results bulk upload submission can be found as follows:
- Standard excel template for lab test bulk submission upload [XLSX, 23 KB]
Licensees must also maintain the cleanliness of their aquatic facilities.
Water sampling for a particular month shall be done within the same month, e.g. sampling for September shall be done within the month of September. Water quality test result for a particular month is to be submitted no later than the 14th of the subsequent month e.g. test result for September should be submitted latest by 14 October.
More information can also be found in:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Aquatic Facilities [PDF, 219 KB]
- Reminder to Submit Quarterly Test Results [PDF, 160 KB]
- Licensable Aquatic Facilities (AF) within Individual Room and Villa of Hotels and Resorts [PDF, 47 KB]
Updating of Licensee/ Applicant Details
Licensees should update changes in the particulars of your company or business e.g. company address, contact numbers and emails, etc. via GoBusiness (https://licence1.business.gov.sg/web/frontier/home). This will allow NEA to share important notifications and reminders and reach you in a timely manner on matters such as water quality test results notifications, inspection outcomes, AF e-licence, etc. Without an up-to-date email address and contact details, the licensee will not receive these documents and information to carry out the necessary follow-up promptly.
Please refer to Page 28 of the Step-by-step User Guide on AF Licence Application [PDF, 1MB] shared above on how to amend the details.
Code of Practice on Environmental Health (COPEH) 2021
The minimum design criteria for licensable aquatic facilities at building plan submission, can be found in section 5 of Code of Practice on Environmental Health (COPEH) 2021 [PDF, 699.1 KB]
Qualified Personnel (QP) must comply with these design criteria when submitting their building plans to NEA for approval. Appendix 3 of the COPEH provides details of a typical deck level channel for a perimeter overflow system of aquatic facilities.
Notifying NEA on AF Closed for Repair or Renovation Works
When the Aquatic Facility (pool) is closed for repair or renovation works, please notify NEA by filling up Form - Notifying the Closure of Licensed Aquatic Facility (AF) for Repair or Renovation Works [PDF, 110 KB] and send it via https://www.nea.gov.sg/feedback.
Guidelines
- Guidelines on the Use of Chlorine-containing Chemicals for Disinfection of Swimming Pools (joint circular issued by MOM, NEA, SCDF and SPF) [PDF, 121 KB]
- Guidance for swimming pool operators and owners on the safe use and disposal of chlorine-containing chemicals for disinfection of swimming pools.
- Guidelines for Managing Aquatic Facilities in Singapore [PDF, 257 KB]
- Guidance for aquatic facility licensees on how to conduct on-site daily testing, choose a representative location for water sampling and what to do in the event of faecal/vomitus/animals entering the aquatic facility.