The ACT government has decided private pools that are accessible to the public should not be regulated, saying the unnecessary intervention would increase red tape and costs for businesses and swimmers.
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"Regulation of privately-owned public pools would come at a cost," the government's decision said.
"This could potentially result in unnecessary increased costs to businesses, increased costs for pool users and indirect costs for government regulation."
The decision comes after a discussion paper on the issue was released for public feedback late last year, asking whether the government consider regulating water safety at privately-owned public pool.
The government said regulation of publicly-accessible pools would be unnecessary intervention and legislating them would be "contrary to reducing red tape".
"Other market forces drive safety standards at pool facilities through alternative mechanisms such as the ability to secure public liability insurance at a reasonable cost," the decision said.
In the ACT, there are about 50 privately owned, publicly accessible pools.
These range from larger public pools with limited access to pools accessible only as part of a program such as learn-to-swim pools or only by members or guests at facilities like hotels, motels and health clubs.
Active Canberra director Jenny Priest said the government had decided it would not extend public pool regulations to privately-owned facilities.
"After consultation and further investigation... there is no [strong] evidence of market failure in this space and noting that increasing red tape and regulation is not something the government wants to do unless there is an absolute necessary need for it," she said.
Ms Priest said water safety had strong representation and associations in Australia and there were a number of accreditation schemes available through Royal Life Saving.
"The industry has well-respected and strong series of peak bodies... that work with these facilities and there's a whole range of other things at play that ensure that they are managing their facilities effectively, efficiently and safely," she said.
Public pools' water quality and sanitation was already regulated by ACT Health while planning and building aspects, work health and safety and dangerous good were also regulated.
Privately-owned public pools also often operated under their own industry code of practice, Ms Priest said.
"It's not that they're not regulated, but it was found that there was no need for the Public Pools Act... to [extended] into their environment," she said.
There are six government-owned public pools in the ACT, including Manuka and Dickson pools, the Canberra Olympic Pool in Civic and leisure centres in Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and Erindale.
