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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cold Lake - Whirlpool

5315 48 Avenue Cold Lake AB T9M 0K9 · Aquatic Facility

14 inspections

  1. Monitoring Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 07. Are the filtration, circulation and disinfection systems used to maintain water quality working properly (Non-Critical)?
      • Based on a basin volume of 4,000 L and a measured recirculation flow rate of 45 gpm, the calculated turnover time for the hot tub is approximately 23.5 minutes. Alberta Pool Standards require a maximum turnover period of 20 minutes for a whirlpool with a volume of 4.0 cubic metres or more. This does not meet the required turnover rate. Please work with a qualified pool mechanical contractor or professional engineer to assess the recirculation system and make any necessary adjustments or upgrades so that a minimum flow rate of approximately 53 gpm is consistently achieved while maintaining compliance with equipment ratings and anti-entrapment requirements.Whirlpools operate at higher temperatures and typically have higher bather loads, which promote microbial growth and rapid buildup of body fluids, skin cells, and other contaminants. A faster turnover rate is required to control organisms such as Pseudomonas and Legionella, reduce biofilm formation in the system, and maintain safe water quality for bathers.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • An anti-entrapment plan was submitted and reviewed. However, the plan indicates that the suction outlet cover is damaged. If this is the case, the pump must be shut down immediately and the hot tub closed until the cover is repaired or replaced in accordance with the Pool Standards. Please clarify and revise the anti-entrapment plan accordingly. It remains the responsibility of the owner to ensure the anti-entrapment system is compliant and maintained in good working order at all times.
  2. Risk Management Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 07. Are the filtration, circulation and disinfection systems used to maintain water quality working properly (Non-Critical)?
      • Based on a basin volume of 4 000 L and a measured recirculation flow rate of 45 gpm (≈170 L/min), the calculated turnover time for the whirlpool is approximately 24 minutes. For whirlpools with a volume of 4 m³ or more, the Alberta Pool Standards require a maximum turnover period of 20 minutes. This does not meet the required turnover rate. Please work with a qualified pool mechanical contractor or professional engineer to adjust the recirculation flow (minimum ≈53 gpm / 200 L/min) and verify that the system operates within filter, piping, and suction fitting ratings and remains consistent with anti-entrapment requirements. Whirlpools operate at higher temperatures and typically have higher bather loads, which promote microbial growth and rapid buildup of body fluids, skin cells, and other contaminants. A faster turnover rate is required to control organisms such as Pseudomonas and Legionella, reduce biofilm formation in the system, and maintain safe water quality for bathers
    • 11. Does the facility have a valid permit and does the facility operate in compliance with the conditions of that permit?
      • Since the November 12, 2025 inspection, a pool permit application was submitted to Alberta Health Services on November 16, 2025. This application is currently under review and a permit has not yet been issued.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Following the inspection, an anti-entrapment compliance plan was submitted on November 16, 2025 and is currently under review.
  3. Risk Management Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 07. Are the filtration, circulation and disinfection systems used to maintain water quality working properly (Non-Critical)?
      • The whirlpool circulation system does not meet the required turnover time of 15 minutes. Based on the measured flow rate of 246 L/min and a basin volume of 4,000 L, the turnover time is approximately 16.2 minutes, exceeding the regulatory limit.Please ensure flow rate is increased to a minimum of 266.7 L/min (70.45 GPM) to meet the 15-minute turnover requirement. Investigate pump capacity, remove system obstructions, and assess whether equipment upgrades are necessary. Verify turnover time through measured flow rate post-correction.
    • 11. Does the facility have a valid permit and does the facility operate in compliance with the conditions of that permit?
      • A valid permit to operate the pool could not be located in this office’s records or observed on site during inspection. Please provide this office with a copy of the current pool permit for review. If a permit has not been issued, the operator must submit a completed application and obtain approval to operate. Operating without a valid permit is not permitted and must be addressed immediately.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • The operator has not provided this office with the required anti-entrapment plans and documentation for this basin, despite previous requests. This is a critical safety requirement intended to protect bathers from serious injury or death.Please submit a copy of the anti-entrapment plans and specifications for this basin without further delay. Continued non-compliance may not only affect public health risk assessments but could also have serious implications for liability in the event of an incident.
  4. Risk Management Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 07. Are the filtration, circulation and disinfection systems used to maintain water quality working properly (Non-Critical)?
      • The whirlpool circulation system does not meet the required turnover time of 15 minutes. Based on the measured flow rate of 246 L/min and a basin volume of 4,000 L, the turnover time is approximately 16.2 minutes, exceeding the regulatory limit.Please ensure flow rate is increased to a minimum of 266.7 L/min (70.45 GPM) to meet the 15-minute turnover requirement. Investigate pump capacity, remove system obstructions, and assess whether equipment upgrades are necessary. Verify turnover time through measured flow rate post-correction.
    • 11. Does the facility have a valid permit and does the facility operate in compliance with the conditions of that permit?
      • A valid permit to operate the pool could not be located in this office’s records or observed on site during inspection. Please provide this office with a copy of the current pool permit for review. If a permit has not been issued, the operator must submit a completed application and obtain approval to operate. Operating without a valid permit is not permitted and must be addressed immediately.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • The operator has not provided this office with the required anti-entrapment plans and documentation for this basin, despite previous requests. This is a critical safety requirement intended to protect bathers from serious injury or death.Please submit a copy of the anti-entrapment plans and specifications for this basin without further delay. Continued non-compliance may not only affect public health risk assessments but could also have serious implications for liability in the event of an incident.
  5. Monitoring Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 07. Are the filtration, circulation and disinfection systems used to maintain water quality working properly (Non-Critical)?
      • The whirlpool circulation system does not meet the required turnover time of 15 minutes. Based on the measured flow rate of 231.9 L/min and a basin volume of 4,000 L, the turnover time is approximately 17.2 minutes, exceeding the regulatory limit.Please ensure flow rate is increased to a minimum of 266.7 L/min to meet the 15-minute turnover requirement. Investigate pump capacity, remove system obstructions, and assess whether equipment upgrades are necessary. Verify turnover time through measured flow rate post-correction.
    • 11. Does the facility have a valid permit and does the facility operate in compliance with the conditions of that permit?
      • A valid permit to operate the pool could not be located in this office’s records or observed on site during inspection. Please provide this office with a copy of the current pool permit for review. If a permit has not been issued, the operator must submit a completed application and obtain approval to operate. Operating without a valid permit is not permitted and must be addressed immediately.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • The operator has not provided this office with the required anti-entrapment plans and documentation for this basin, despite previous requests. This is a critical safety requirement intended to protect bathers from serious injury or death.Please submit a copy of the anti-entrapment plans and specifications for this basin without further delay. Continued non-compliance may not only affect public health risk assessments but could also have serious implications for liability in the event of an incident.
  6. Demand Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 03. Is the bacteriological quality of the water in this pool satisfactory (Non-Critical)?
      • HPC greater than 57,000 CFU.Please take corrective action:1. Increase Free Available Chlorine (FAC) level to 10 ppm and maintain pH at or near 7.2. 2. Run the water through the circulation system for at least one turnover. Balance the water.3. Resample
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin.
  7. Risk Management Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin.
  8. Demand Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 02. Is the bacteriological quality of the water in this pool satisfactory (Critical)?
      • Pseudomonas aeroginosa were isolated in weekly water sample.Increase Free Available Chlorine (FAC) level to 10 ppm and maintain pH at or near 7.2.Run the water through the circulation system for at least one turnover. Balance the water, resample.This organism has the ability to form a biofilm. This is usually found in hot tubs and spas. Due to the small volume of water and for ease it may be easier to suggest the pool be superchlorinated to 20-50 ppm (with non-stabilized chlorine), scrubbed, backwashed, drained andthen refilled. The pH must be maintained at 7.5 or less.Alternatively, the FAC can be raised to 10 ppm and the pH adjusted down to 7.0 or lower to increase the disinfection ability. Pool must be closed until the above is completed.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin.
  9. Monitoring Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin.
  10. Demand Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 02. Is the bacteriological quality of the water in this pool satisfactory (Critical)?
      • Critical water sample results received - Pseudomonas aeroginosa isolated. Operator notified to close hot tub until water is treated.
    • 03. Is the bacteriological quality of the water in this pool satisfactory (Non-Critical)?
      • Weekly water sample was rejected due to lack of proper labeling of water sample bottle. Operator notified that sample was not processed for this week.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin.
    • 15. Has an owner or owner's agent, if any, been identified and is the pool operated and maintained by a qualified pool operator?
      • The pool operator who operates and maintains the pool on a day-to-day basis is not certified. Please ensure the pool operator completes a pool operator course offered by an approved organization.
  11. Demand Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 03. Is the bacteriological quality of the water in this pool satisfactory (Non-Critical)?
      • Weekly water sample was rejected due to lack of proper labeling of water sample bottle. Operator notified that sample was not processed for this week.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin.
    • 15. Has an owner or owner's agent, if any, been identified and is the pool operated and maintained by a qualified pool operator?
      • The pool operator who operates and maintains the pool on a day-to-day basis is not certified. Please ensure the pool operator completes a pool operator course offered by an approved organization.
  12. Risk Management Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin.
    • 15. Has an owner or owner's agent, if any, been identified and is the pool operated and maintained by a qualified pool operator?
      • The pool operator who operates and maintains the pool on a day-to-day basis is not certified. Please ensure the pool operator completes a pool operator course offered by an approved organization.
  13. Demand Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 07. Are the filtration, circulation and disinfection systems used to maintain water quality working properly (Non-Critical)?
      • Operator was unable to articulate what the turnover rate for the pool is. Please provide the pool volume so that the turnover rate can be calculated.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin. Information to Complete Anti-Entrapment Compliance Plan for Public Swimming Pools is attached to this inspection report.
    • 15. Has an owner or owner's agent, if any, been identified and is the pool operated and maintained by a qualified pool operator?
      • The pool operator who operates and maintains the pool on a day-to-day basis is not certified. Please ensure the pool operator completes a pool operator course offered by an approved organization.
  14. Monitoring Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 07. Are the filtration, circulation and disinfection systems used to maintain water quality working properly (Non-Critical)?
      • Operator was unable to articulate what the turnover rate for the pool is. Please provide the pool volume so that the turnover rate can be calculated.
    • 12. Are the general safety devices and physical conditions in this pool providing a safe environment (Critical)?
      • Please provide this office with a copy of the anti-entrapment plans for this basin. Information to Complete Anti-Entrapment Compliance Plan for Public Swimming Pools is attached to this inspection report.
    • 15. Has an owner or owner's agent, if any, been identified and is the pool operated and maintained by a qualified pool operator?
      • The pool operator who operates and maintains the pool on a day-to-day basis is not certified. Please ensure the pool operator completes a pool operator course offered by an approved organization.