Creating the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC)

The MAHC was initially developed as a set of 14 separate modules through a process involving a Steering Committee that guided the work of 12 Technical Committees that worked on specific areas of the MAHC. The linked Project Outline document describes the original MAHC vision, organization, goals, and objectives developed by the Steering Committee. The MAHC Process Diagram illustrates the sequence of events developed by the Steering Committee as part of the MAHC development process.

• Model Aquatic Health Code Project Outline [PDF - 5 pages]
• Model Aquatic Health Code Process Diagram [PDF - 1 page]
• MAHC Steering Committee
• MAHC Technical Committees

This draft MAHC outline or "strawman" provided a framework for discussing the MAHC content and helped the Steering Committee and Technical Committees identify where various parts fit within the overall MAHC. The "strawman" delineated cross-cutting issues requiring collaboration and deliberation by multiple Technical Committees. As with any "strawman," the numbering format, organization, and structure changed as the MAHC progressed.

• MAHC Strawman Outline [PDF - 14 pages]

The MAHC was initially developed as a set of 14 separate modules. The initial drafts of these 14 MAHC modules were organized in a series of columns that contained a short keyword summary describing the information contained in the corresponding code language. Items deemed most critical to protecting public health were indicated in red font with an asterisk. The columns showed the section number and draft code language, and the far right column had a letter grade based on the perceived reliability and accuracy of the material presented. The grading system was divided into three levels:

• Grade A: Practice supported by science/research/data
• Grade B: Widely accepted practice not supported by science/research/data
• Grade C: No widely accepted practice. Proposed language not yet supported by science/research/data

This format was changed when the modules were combined into a single document, the MAHC "Knitted" version. This MAHC "Knitted" version dropped the column format, the public health-specific red font designation, and the grading system.

The Technical Committees were responsible for the technical content of MAHC modules. As they created the modules they periodically sent them to the Steering Committee for input to ensure that the content and format was consistent and integrated with the work done by other Technical Committees and addressed the overall MAHC goals. This process involved many drafts of the modules before completion. Once a Technical Committee finished a module and the Steering Committee approved the product, it was passed to the MAHC Editor. The module was then moved into final formatting. Additional annex information was added by CDC staff if further clarification was needed on the intent or direction of the MAHC and its associated code language. Following completion of this process, all modules were put through internal CDC clearance. CDC agreed to early and preliminary posting of the MAHC modules to maximize the impact of public comment on the committee thinking and direction. Upon completion of CDC clearance, modules were posted on the MAHC website, which is part of CDC’s Healthy Swimming website, for the first 60-day public comment period. After receiving almost 3,000 public comments, each comment was reviewed and addressed. The revised modules, as well as the public comments and responses, were then re-posted to the MAHC website for public review although they were not open for further public comment. After all modules were revised and reposted, they were merged and duplications and discrepancies removed or fixed. This MAHC "Knitted" version was then reposted for another 60-day public comment period so reviewers could look over the wording again in the full context of the rest of the MAHC. After addressing almost 1,500 new comments, the MAHC "Knitted" version was revised based on public comment, put through CDC clearance again, and re-posted to the MAHC website as the MAHC 1st Edition.

• Historical MAHC Public Comment Process

The current status of the MAHC is summarized on the The MAHC 1st Edition page.