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WATER POLO RESTAURANT

1325 LOWER WATER, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

WATER POLO RESTAURANT has been inspected 11 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since November 4, 2024. The most recent inspection, on March 18, 2026, found no infractions.

3 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 11 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2025. For example: 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 25, 2025. For example: 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 21, 2024. For example: 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 25, 2025. For example: 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 7, 2025. For example: 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;

About this data

These results come from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program), which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

11 inspections

  1. Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
      • Observed several ceiling tiles above dishwashing area in disrepair. Replace ceiling tiles.
  3. Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
      • Observed several ceiling tiles above dishwashing area in disrepair. Replace ceiling tiles.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • A deep clean is required in dishwashing area.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Clean and sanitize interior surfaces of garbage receptacles in dishwashing area.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • In accordance with Section 4.3.4 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure: d. Eradication of uncontrolled pests is carried out by a certified pest control operator utilizing approved chemicals and methods.
  4. Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;
      • Clean and sanitize interior of large ice machine due to mould growth.
    • 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.
      • Develop a cleaning schedule for both ice machines.
  6. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;
      • Clean and sanitize interior of large ice machine due to mould growth.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Clean and disinfect behind shelving units next to walk-in freezer due to rodent droppings.
  7. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 42(1)(a) An Inspector may require an operator to implement sampling and testing procedures to demonstrate any of the following: (a) that food is not contaminated;
      • Obtain sushi rice test strips to ensure acidified sushi rice is within proper pH level.
  8. Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;
      • Ensure ice scoop is stored outside of ice or in a manner that does not contaminate ice.
    • 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;
      • Clean and sanitize interior of large ice machine due to mould growth.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Clean and disinfect behind shelving units next to walk-in freezer due to rodent droppings.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Clean around ceiling vent in dishwasher area due to build-up of dust.
  9. Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Hand sink in dishwashing area must be equipped with a paper towel dispenser and hand soap dispenser.
  11. Inspection

    12 infractions

    • 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
      • In accordance with Section 2.9 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure: all shelving and food is maintained a minimum of 15 cm (6 inches) off the floor.
    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Hand sink in dishwashing area must be equipped with a paper towel dispenser and hand soap dispenser.
    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Paper towel dispenser must be installed in staff washroom.
    • 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;
      • Mold build-up observed on the interior surfaces of the large ice machine. Discard ice and clean/sanitize according to the manufacturers instructions.
    • 27(a) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following: (a) the person is clean and sanitary and shows good personal hygiene;
      • Observed employee handling dirty dishes and then clean dishes without practicing proper hand hygiene. Staff must wash hands after any activity or instance where hands may become soiled.
    • 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.
      • Cutting boards observed stacked wet after dishwashing. Equipment, dishes and utensils must be air dried.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Rodent droppings observed along floor wall junctions in hard to reach areas such as under equipment on prep line and behind shelving units. Clean and disinfect all areas affected by rodent droppings.
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • Sanitizer spray bottles observed without label. Ensure all chemicals have a label.
    • 33(1) An operator must ensure that the temperature of food is controlled so that the food does not deteriorate or become inedible or unsafe.
      • A cut cucumber observed stored at room temperature in bar. Cut fruits and vegetables must be refrigerated at 4C or below. Cucumber was discarded during inspection.
    • 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.
      • Observed in-use utensils stored in room temperature water. Acceptable methods of in-use utensil storage include a dipper well, a hot holding well, under refrigeration temperatures, or wiped with a sanitizer solution and then clean and sanitized every 2 hours.
    • 48(1) An operator must ensure that all food is stored and transported under conditions that do all of the following: a) protect the food from contamination, b) provide an environment that adequately controls contamination, c) protect the food from damage likely to make the food inedible.
      • Ice scoops observed stored directly in ice in bar area. Ice scoops must be stored out of ice, in a sanitary manner to prevent contamination of ice.
    • 48(1) An operator must ensure that all food is stored and transported under conditions that do all of the following: a) protect the food from contamination, b) provide an environment that adequately controls contamination, c) protect the food from damage likely to make the food inedible.
      • Store all bagged bulk ingredients located in dry storage area in food-grade bins to prevent access to pests.

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