Health regulations
NOM-245-SSA1-2010: Pool and Wading Pool Water
Mexico’s health requirements for water quality in pools, wading pools and recreational aquatic centers.
- NOM:
- Mexico’s official standards
- COFEPRIS:
- Mexico’s federal health regulator
- EMA:
- Mexico’s laboratory accreditation body
- Tested in EMA-accredited laboratories
- On-site sampling from Cancún to Tulum
- Results in 3–5 days
NOM-245 requirements in one minute
| Parameter | Limit | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Free chlorine residual | 1.0 – 5.0 mg/L | Daily |
| pH | 6.5 – 8.5 | Daily |
| Chloramines (combined chlorine) | ≤ 0.5 mg/L | Daily, along with chlorine |
| Fecal coliforms / E. coli | Absent | Monthly; every two weeks in high season |
If coliforms, E. coli or amoebas are found, the pool closes until the problem is corrected. See the full parameter table ↓
What is NOM-245-SSA1-2010?
NOM-245-SSA1-2010 is the official Mexican standard that sets the health requirements and water quality for pools, wading pools, aquatic centers and similar facilities. Its main purpose is to protect users from health risks associated with water quality in recreational aquatic facilities.
Main purpose
To prevent gastrointestinal, skin, eye and respiratory illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms or by inadequate chemical concentrations in recreational water.
Official text of NOM-245-SSA1-2010
The full text published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), Mexico’s official gazette. In force since 2012.
Enforced by COFEPRIS
The standard is enforced by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), which carries out periodic inspections of establishments with aquatic facilities. In the Riviera Maya, given the high volume of tourism, these inspections are especially frequent at hotels and water parks.
Do you manage a hotel?
Your pool is one of six water areas at your hotel
Ice, hot water, mechanical room, drinking water and wastewater discharges: we cover them in one monthly program, with the compliance file ready for COFEPRIS, the Distintivo H and brand audits.
Main parameters
Limits and ranges set by NOM-245-SSA1-2010 for pool water
| Parameter | Unit | Limit / permissible range |
|---|---|---|
| Free chlorine residual | mg/L | 1.0 – 5.0 |
| pH | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 |
| Turbidity | NTU | ≤ 5 |
| Chloramines (combined chlorine) | mg/L | ≤ 0.5 |
| Cyanuric acid | mg/L | ≤ 100 |
| Fecal coliforms / E. coli | MPN/100 mL | Absent |
| Free-living amoebas | – | Absent |
Important: detecting fecal coliforms, E. coli or free-living amoebas requires closing the pool immediately and taking corrective action before reopening it.
Who must comply?
Establishments required to comply with NOM-245-SSA1-2010
Hotels and resorts
Lodging establishments with pools for guests, including temperature-controlled pools and infinity pools.
Water parks
Recreation centers with slides, lazy rivers, wave pools and children’s splash areas.
Condominiums and residential communities
Developments and condominiums with shared pools for residents and their guests.
Sports clubs
Sports centers, gyms and social clubs with aquatic facilities for their members.
Balnearios (public bathing and spring-fed pool resorts)
Recreation centers with pools supplied by well water, springs or the municipal network.
Schools and universities
Educational institutions with pools for swimming programs and sports activities.
Consequences of non-compliance
Legal and health risks of not complying with NOM-245-SSA1-2010
COFEPRIS sanctions
The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks can impose fines, administrative detention and safety measures.
Facility closure
COFEPRIS can order the temporary or permanent closure of a pool that poses a health risk to swimmers.
Civil lawsuits
Illnesses or infections contracted in non-compliant pools can lead to claims for damages.
Reputational damage
Health incidents in pools directly affect the property’s reputation, especially on review platforms.
Grupo Eytra services for compliance
Comprehensive solutions to keep your pool in compliance with NOM-245
Laboratory testing
Physicochemical and microbiological testing of pool water through EMA-accredited laboratories, against the parameters of NOM-245-SSA1-2010.
Scheduled monitoring
Periodic sampling programs to keep a compliance history and catch deviations early.
Chemical supply
Chlorine, muriatic acid, stabilizers and specialized products for pool water treatment.
Technical advice
Training for maintenance staff, dosing protocols and safe operating procedures.
For daily control
NOM-245-SSA1: frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about pool health control
How often should I test my pool water?
Measure free chlorine residual and pH daily as part of routine operation. Complete microbiological testing (fecal coliforms, E. coli) should be done at least monthly. In high season or with heavy bather loads, we recommend increasing microbiological testing to every two weeks.
What chlorine level does NOM-245 require for my pool?
NOM-245-SSA1-2010 requires free chlorine residual between 1.0 and 5.0 mg/L. We recommend operating at 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L: it disinfects without irritating swimmers. Below 1.0 mg/L, the water is out of compliance and disinfection falls short.
What happens if COFEPRIS finds my pool out of compliance?
COFEPRIS can apply different sanctions depending on severity, from warnings and fines to the temporary or permanent closure of the pool. If an imminent health risk to swimmers is confirmed, the closure can be immediate and without notice. The property must also cover the cost of remediation.
Can I use cyanuric acid stabilizer in pools?
Yes. Cyanuric acid is allowed as a chlorine stabilizer, especially in outdoor pools where UV radiation breaks chlorine down quickly. However, NOM-245 sets a maximum of 100 mg/L. Higher concentrations can reduce chlorine’s effectiveness as a disinfectant, an effect known as “chlorine lock.”
Does Grupo Eytra offer ongoing pool monitoring?
Yes. Our periodic monitoring programs include physicochemical and microbiological sampling, with testing by EMA-accredited laboratories, regulatory compliance reports, chemical dosing advice, maintenance staff training and treatment product supply. Programs are tailored to the size and type of aquatic facility.
Do your hotel’s pools comply with NOM-245?
Testing in EMA-accredited laboratories and pool monitoring for hotels and resorts in Cancún and the Riviera Maya