It may come as a surprise that a handful of states do not have regulations governing the maintenance of public swimming pools, water parks, and spas.

Virginia is one of them, but that will likely soon change if the state’s governor signs House Bill 354 into law.

H.B. 354 would direct the Virginia Board of Health to adopt regulations for the operation, maintenance, and safety of public swimming pools, water parks, and spas.

The bill was introduced by Delegate Patrick Hope, who says this commonsense legislation will protect Virginians, increase safety in public pools and spas, and decrease drowning.

According to Hope, the Virginia Department of Health only has regulatory oversight over swimming areas at campgrounds, summer camps, and hotels. He says it cannot regulate neighborhood pools in localities that don’t have regulations for lifeguards, inspection, and signage.

“The VDH can’t even require fecal matter to be removed from a public pool or spa,” Hope said. “Talk about gross.”

And if someone is drowning and at the bottom of a pool, a lifeguard needs to be able to see them, he said. However, there are no state regulations on murky waters.

The bill has passed both House and Senate and was signed by Virginia Senate President on March 3.