The short answer is “NO!” It is important to distinguish the difference between a water watcher and a lifeguard. Both serve important functions. However, those functions are very different and so is the skill level and training. For example, the requirements for pools to provide lifeguards are regulated by state, county and local governments (generally health departments). This same patchwork of state, county and local governments also regulate, to some degree, requirements to be a lifeguard. There are lifeguard programs that are recognized nationwide. However, there are no official national standards.
As a result, we cannot tell you if a lifeguard is required for your pool. We encourage you to contact your local health department for additional information. If your swimming pool is required to provide lifeguards, the water watcher program is not sufficient to meet requirements for your area. However, water watchers can supplement what lifeguards already do.