Merriam adopts Johnson County sanitary and aquatic (pool) codes effective Jan. 1, 2025

Merriam City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Johnson County Sanitary Code and the Johnson County Aquatic Health Code, permitting Johnson County to continue as the regulatory authority for public and semi‑public pools and sanitary sewer oversight.

Director Dyer explained the county’s recent code updates and said the Aquatic Health Code is based on the 2023 Model Aquatic Health Code, fourth edition, and that the changes are primarily administrative and chemical‑handling related. "If the city wishes to maintain a relationship with Johnson County and have them be the regulatory agency for these, we also need to adopt the ordinance allowing them to enforce those guidelines," Dyer said.

Council members asked whether the new codes would require changes to the city’s new community center; Dyer and other staff said existing facilities built under previous codes do not have to be retrofitted and that staff had spoken with county personnel and had no concerns.

The council waived the first reading and then voted to adopt the ordinance effective Jan. 1, 2025. Recorded votes show the motion to waive and the ordinance motion each passed 7‑0.