January 16 , 2008

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Georgia May Ban Pools This Summer!
Public action is needed to reverse decision!

From Newsletter of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals:

Just in case you’ve missed the news stories, the state of Georgia has indefinitely banned pool, and the ban may continue through the summer of 2008.

According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Jeremy Redmon: “In late September —- after pools closed down for the year —- state officials indefinitely banned most outdoor water use in North Georgia to conserve water. Unless the water comes from a well or is trucked in, that means no filling or adding water to outdoor pools. That applies regardless of whether they're in back yards, at subdivision clubhouses, in public parks or at hotels. Those restrictions will stay in place at least until the drought eases or the state makes an exception to the rules, according to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.”

That means no summer swim programs, no poolside cookouts and no summer pool camps. In its quest to limit public consumption of water, the state has mistakenly pulled the pool plug. The issue is one of perception rather than actual water use. Pools don’t use a significant amount of water.

Industry experts have determined that water loss through evaporation during the 15-week swimming season averages 1/8 of an inch of water per day per pool. In a typical 18 x 36 pool, evaporation loss is approximately 50 gallons per day or 5,300 gallons per season. This is about the same amount of water used by a family of 4 for brushing their teeth during the same time frame. There is no reasonable or justifiable public purpose for banning pools during the summer. In this instance, the perception is very different from the reality.

Many children take part in organized and competitive swim programs while for others the pool is a ritual of summer and growing up. A summer ban on pools is an unnecessary restriction on public recreation that serves no public purpose and doesn’t significantly impact water usage. More importantly, pools serve the public by providing children with a fun, safe, supervised activity that builds character, fitness, and keeps their time filled.

Your action is needed!

Fortunately, the decision is not written in stone, and a reverse decision is still possible. The decision about pools will ultimately fall to Environmental Protection Director Carol Couch. The state's outdoor watering rules give her broad authority to grant exemptions – including an exemption to remove pools from the banned activity list.

The public needs to let Carol Couch know that pools need to be open so that Georgia children can have access to a healthy, safe, supervised summer activity, especially during a drought! You can reach Carol Couch at 404-656-4713. You should also contact your local state legislators so that they know your feelings on this issue. Phone numbers and email addresses for legislators are available at: www.legis.state.ga.us.

The Georgia Chapter of APSP suggests bringing up these important points in your discussion with officials:

What to Say about a Possible 2008 Summer Pool Ban

• Pools are an essential part of summer recreation for thousands of Georgia children.
  Many children take part in organized and competitive swim programs while for others the pool is a ritual of summer and growing up. A ban on summer pool activities is an unnecessary restriction on public recreation that serves no public purpose and doesn’t significantly impact water usage. More importantly, pools serve the public by providing children with a safe, supervised summer activity that builds character, fitness, and keeps their time filled with a productive, healthy activity.
• With lake levels low/stagnant, pools are the only recreational water source available to children this summer.
  There is no doubt that the drought has taken a toll on public water sources, but this means that they aren’t available for public recreation either. Lake water levels are low and, in some places, this has made them dangerous and unhealthy places to swim and recreate. In 2008, pools will likely provide families and children with the best water sources for summer swimming and recreation. A ban on pools will severely limit public water recreation.
• Contrary to perceptions, pools don’t use a significant amount of water.
  Normal evaporation does not cause substantial water loss to a swimming pool or necessitate constant refilling. Although there are many factors contributing to evaporation, industry experts have determined that water loss through evaporation during the 15-week swimming season averages 1/8 of an inch of water per day per pool. In a typical 18 x 36 pool, evaporation loss is approximately 50 gallons per day or 5,300 gallons per season. This is about the same amount of water used by a family of 4 for brushing their teeth during the same time frame. This is not a reasonable or justifiable public purpose for banning pools during the summer.
• Unmanaged pools could become a summer public health problem.
  Public health officials are already sounding the alarm. A ban on pools could create a public health problem that is greater than any perceived benefit that comes from banning pool activity. Public health officials say that uunattended pools can become havens for bacteria, parasites and West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes. John Gormley, environmental health director for Fulton County, and Tom Campbell, Cobb County's environmental health district director, have both publicly stated that pools should be exempt from the current state water ban. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Gormley is concerned that if the ban on filling swimming pools remains in place this year, some people might decide to ignore their pools.