On November 10, 2011, the CDC posted the Preface, User Guide, and Glossary of the Model Aquatic Health Code available online (in PDF format) for review following the first comment period.  These introductory pieces are not open for new comments at this time, but they can serve as a good introduction to the code.

The 3 documents are highly related, covering the same materials in somewhat different perspectives.  The documents correspond to ‘code’, ‘annex’ and ‘comments’ sections.

The Code

The brief code document is organized around the content outline of Section 1.0 of the code, so it is a very helpful summary of the background, purpose and direction of the code. It describes the code as a set of recommendations for a set of uniform nationwide standards (model performance standards) for aquatic venues operations and management.  Among other things, it makes provision for the ongoing revision of the code.

The Annex

The Annex provides a deeper discussion of the rationale and some of the sources of the code, including footnotes and a bibliography.  It adds to the summary of Section 1.0 with a description of Section 2.0, where key elements of the code are described, including the MAHC structure and the role of Annexes (annexes are not part of the code; they are included to help in “understanding and applying” the code).

The Comments

This document summarizes salient comments made on these opening portions of the code, with the response of the MAHC committees included.  Please note that the comments period on these sections closed on December 9, 2008, so the current documents reflect aging commentary and the internal responses of the MAHC staff and committees.

Please Let Us Know Your Thoughts

As always, we are interested in your thoughts about the evolving MAHC.  Get in touch.