In 2022, we published an in-depth article dedicated to the so-called “oversized swimming pools” and the lifeguard requirement in villas and holiday homes.

A few years later, we continue to receive numerous requests from owners and managers of masserie (traditional fortified farmhouses), agritourisms, B&Bs, and accommodation facilities asking the exact same question: “Do I need to have a lifeguard in my pool?” The answer, today as it was back then, cannot be reduced to a simple yes or no.

Has the regulation changed? Let’s start with an important point. The regional legislation in Puglia regulating swimming pools for swimming purposes continues to refer to Regional Law no. 35 of 2008, which distinguishes pools based on their intended use and management methods. Therefore, the principles outlined in our previous article remain substantially valid. No new regional law has been introduced to radically modify the existing regulatory framework.

So why is there so much talk about lifeguards today?

Because the context has changed. In recent years, Puglia has seen significant growth in accommodation facilities equipped with swimming pools. Villas intended for tourist rentals, masserie, boutique hotels, agritourisms, and holiday homes have become a fundamental component of the region’s tourist offering. At the same time, supervisory authorities have increased their focus on the correct management of swimming facilities. Today, many managers face inspections that were less frequent in the past.

The real mistake: thinking everything revolves around the lifeguard

Nel nostro articolo del 2022 l’attenzione era concentrata soprattutto sull’obbligo o meno dell’assistente bagnanti nelle piIn our 2022 article, attention was focused mainly on whether or not a lifeguard was mandatory in “oversized” pools. Today, we realize that this represents only part of the problem. During an inspection, in fact, inspectors do not exclusively check for the presence of a lifeguard.

They also check:

• the self-monitoring plan (piano di autocontrollo);
• management logs;
• water quality;
• the technical documentation of the system;
• the appointment of the pool manager;
• emergency procedures;
• safety equipment.

Regional Law 35/2008 itself attaches great importance to the self-monitoring plan and pool management documentation.

Private pools and accommodation facilities: the distinction remains fundamental

An aspect that remains central concerns the distinction between:

• a private pool serving a single home;
• a pool located within an accommodation facility or used as part of an organized activity.

It is precisely this difference that continues to determine most of the management and administrative obligations. For this reason, it is always advisable to evaluate each specific situation, avoiding generic interpretations.

Technical standards have also evolved

While the regional law has not undergone substantial changes, the world of technical standards continues to update. In 2024, UNI 10637 was updated—the technical benchmark for the design, construction, and management of water treatment systems in public and collective swimming pools. This confirms a clear trend: the sector is moving more and more towards a professional and documented management of facilities.

The right question to ask today

Perhaps in 2022, the question was: “Do I need a lifeguard?”
In 2026, the more accurate question is: “Is my pool truly compliant with regulations and ready to face an inspection?”
Because very often, critical issues do not arise from the absence of a lifeguard, but rather from incomplete procedures, missing documentation, or inadequate management of the facility.

How Teknopiscine can help you

For over 25 years, we have been supporting private individuals and accommodation facilities in the design, construction, and management of swimming pools. In addition to the technical aspect, we assist our clients in verifying regulatory compliance and organizing the documentation necessary for the correct management of the system. Because a safe pool does not depend on a single requirement. It depends on mindful and professional management.

Do you have doubts about your pool’s compliance?
Contact Teknopiscine for a technical and administrative check of your facility.

Contact us to receive a free consultation, by sending us an email, or by calling our offices at +39 080 480 5343, or by sending a WhatsApp message, and our consultants will be able to identify the solution that best suits your needs.