What Are Cookies

This is the Swimpool 360 cookie policy explaining how cookies are used on our pool website in Toronto and the GTA. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website, used to make websites function properly and to provide owners with information about how visitors use their sites. They help us remember your preferences, understand how you navigate our site, and improve your experience over time.

Cookies set by the website you are visiting are called first-party cookies. Cookies set by other parties - such as analytics services or social media platforms - are called third-party cookies. This policy covers both types used on swimpool360.ca as part of our pool service website in Ontario.

Cookie Categories We Use

The swimpool360.ca website uses the following categories of cookies. Each category is described with its purpose, specific cookies used, and their lifetimes.

1. Essential Cookies (Always Active)

Essential cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function. Without these cookies, core functionality such as navigation and form submission would not work. These cookies cannot be disabled.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Lifetime
`session_id`	Maintains your session as you navigate pages on the site	Session (deleted when browser closes)
`csrf_token`	Security token to prevent cross-site request forgery on form submissions	Session
`cookie_consent`	Remembers your cookie consent preferences	12 months

2. Analytics Cookies (Optional)

We may use Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use our website. These cookies collect anonymized data - they do not identify you personally. Information collected includes pages visited, time spent on site, traffic sources (how you arrived), device type, and approximate geographic region. This data helps us improve our website content and user experience.

Cookie Name	Provider	Purpose	Lifetime
`_ga`	Google Analytics	Distinguishes unique users by assigning a random ID	2 years
`_ga_[ID]`	Google Analytics	Maintains session state for Google Analytics 4	2 years
`_gid`	Google Analytics	Distinguishes users for session-level reporting	24 hours
`_gat`	Google Analytics	Throttles request rate to limit data collection on high-traffic sites	1 minute

Google Analytics data is processed on Google's servers. Google's data processing is governed by its Privacy Policy and Data Processing Addendum. We do not enable advertising features (remarketing, demographics) in our Google Analytics implementation.

3. Map and Embedded Content Cookies (Third-Party)

Our service areas page uses embedded mapping functionality (Leaflet/OpenStreetMap). These services may set cookies or access storage to cache map tiles and remember map position. These are set by third-party providers and are subject to their respective privacy policies.

Provider	Purpose	Lifetime
OpenStreetMap / Leaflet	Map tile caching for interactive service area map	Variable (session or persistent)

Managing Cookies in Your Browser

You can control, restrict, or delete cookies through your web browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of our website. Below are instructions for managing cookies in the most commonly used browsers:

Google Chrome

Open Chrome settings (three dots in the top right) > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data. You can block all cookies, allow only first-party cookies, or manage cookies site-by-site. To delete existing cookies: Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data > Cookies and other site data.

Mozilla Firefox

Open Firefox settings (three lines in the top right) > Privacy & Security. Under "Cookies and Site Data" you can manage, block, or delete cookies. Standard Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks many third-party tracking cookies by default.

Apple Safari

Open Safari Preferences (Safari menu > Preferences) > Privacy. You can prevent cross-site tracking and manage website data. To delete cookies: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All.

Microsoft Edge

Open Edge settings (three dots in the top right) > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data. Edge's tracking prevention feature (set to Balanced by default) blocks many third-party tracking cookies automatically.

Mobile Browsers

On iOS, manage cookies in Safari through Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data. On Android Chrome, open Chrome > Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data to manage cookies. Other mobile browsers follow similar patterns through their Settings menus.

Opting Out of Analytics Tracking

To opt out of Google Analytics tracking specifically across all websites (not just swimpool360.ca), you can install the official Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Internet Explorer/Edge. This add-on instructs the Google Analytics JavaScript to transmit no information to Google Analytics about your website visits.

You can also opt out of personalized advertising from Google through Google's Ad Settings at adssettings.google.com. Note that we do not use Google advertising products on swimpool360.ca.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time as our website evolves or as cookie-related laws and regulations change. When we make significant changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of swimpool360.ca after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

Questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy: swimpool360@gmail.com | 647-239-7665