| Drought
FAQs
• What to do Now? -
We Must operate like summer will happen. It takes
3 months to get the pool ready. If the pool season gets cancelled
officially, it is easier to cover the pool and close up to maintain
minimum levels, then it is to wait and see if the season is cancelled
and then start opening procedures at last minute.
SOLUTION- Positively Pools will continue to
operate and prepare for the 2008 season as we do every year. Guards
will be hired, chemical stocks will be ready and the pools will be
opened as usual.
• What is being done by the Government?
- The local governments and the EPD (Environmental Protection Division)
are in emergency sessions to decide how to best handle the restrictions
and the pool season.
SOLUTION- Stay tuned for updates and direction
as the information comes forward. Positivelypools.com will have current
links and information posted as it becomes available on our website
www.positivelypools.com.
.
• What can You do?-
Call or write your local politician and the EPD (Carol Couch) and
express your concern over the importance of the swimming pool to our
culture and way of life here in Georgia at 2 Martin Luther King Jr.
Drive Suite 1152 East Tower Atlanta GA 30334. Swimming Pools need
to be considered an “Essential” item of need in this state.
Equal to that of Industry and other Essential recreational areas (Golf
Courses).
SOLUTION- Write, call and email the links and
people listed in the Impact Page on our website. Make the politicians
and government agencies aware of how important the swimming pool is
to our community.
Download a Form Letter: Dear
Director Couch. Insert your name and any
additional information you feel appropriate and send it to the address
included
What if Pools Cannot Top-Off to Remain Functioning?
- The Level 4 restrictions prohibit topping off the pool water with
municipal tap water. If a pool is no longer filtering from the non-sustained
water level, then it must shut down for the season.
SOLUTION- Positively Pools is prepared to properly
close and secure the pool and to provide minimal maintenance to insure
the pool does not become an environmental hazard. Please contact our
office for a Drought Amendment in which we alter the contract for
minimum maintenance to keep pools viable for 09 or the next possible
swim season.
• Can Pools be Filled From Nearby Ponds?
- Filling with a recoverable water source is allowed, provided
the water is treated to a certified “drinkable” or “potable”
state. This includes nearby ponds, creeks and wells as well as imported
water from a truck.
SOLUTION- We will have prices for the cost of
alternative filling methods. We are currently researching the most
cost efficient solution. If non-potable water is an alternative then
permission must be received from the Department of Environmental Health.
• What if the Pools
are Required to Close? - We are here for our customers
no matter what happens. We will be fair and flexible with all aspects
of maintenance and payment structure. We want what is best for the
pool/community and the situation as it presents itself. It is recommended
that the pool not shut down entirely due to potential and likely damage
that will occur.
SOLUTION- Positively Pools is prepared to properly
close and secure the pool and to provide minimal maintenance to insure
the pool does not become an environmental hazard. Please contact the
office for a Drought Amendment in which we alter the contract for
minimum maintenance to keep pools viable for 09 or the next possible
swim season.
• What is the Recommended Maintenance
on a Closed Pool? – Do not let the pool stand
idle through the warm months. The condition of the pool interior would
become unrecoverable with permanent staining and damage. Plaster will
become more pitted without proper chemical maintenance. Liner pools
without chemical maintenance become more brittle and easier to rip
and cause leaks.
SOLUTION- Please refer to the Drought Amendment
or call our office for specifics about your pool’s individual
situation.
• Can I Renovate My Pool Now? - YES,
There is full clearance to complete projects, build pools and
re-fill pools for the cause of structural integrity. After a re-fill
we will have no problem maintaining levels and keeping the pool serviceable.
SOLUTION- If the pools can not open due the
drought conditions, it would be best to utilize the down time to your
advantage and complete any renovations the community desires or needs.
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Drought
Impact 2008
Drought affects
Swimming Pools:
Due to the current level 4 drought restrictions mandated by the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division (EPD) your pool may not open in
2008. Under the current restrictions, pools cannot be filled or topped
off. This includes all outdoor pools, regardless whether they are
residential, public, or Homeowner Association pools. These restrictions
are to remain in place until the drought eases or the state makes
an exception to the rules, according to the Georgia EPD. To complicate
matters, the counties and cities have the power to interrupt and enforce
the restrictions as well. While these restrictions have been in place
since September of 2007, Homeowner Associations remain unaware that
this level 4 drought restriction will affect their use of their community
pool for 2008. With the recent articles in the Atlanta Journal &
Constitution, the homeowners are now showing alarming concern. With
only months until opening, their concern is justified.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/01/13/pool01131.html
Make-up water:
In the hot summer months, pools in Georgia experience a loss of water
through evaporation, splash out and bather load loss. Pools need a
regular trickle of water throughout the swim season to function properly.
With the inability to top off (make-up water) or maintain an appropriate
water level, pools do not circulate properly posing a health hazard.
Pools left completely unmaintained will pose an even greater health
threat and be a haven for bacteria, parasites and West Nile Virus-carrying
mosquitoes. Due to health reasons and nuisance clauses the county
health departments will enforce pool maintenance even if the pools
are not opened for swimming.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/01/04/poolside_0105.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Pools ARE essential:
Golfing and swimming alike support and meet recreational needs; however,
the golf course industry was represented at the table when defining
the drought action plan currently in use while the pool industry was
not. Pools under the water ban are considered non-essential while
golf courses are still allowed to water their greens. Recreational
development of all kind is critical for sustainable development and
a good quality of life in urban and suburban communities. Other areas
of the country recognize the importance for swimming pools in their
communities. It is hard to understand how Las Vegas, Nevada, has an
average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches and Atlanta’s
average annual rainfall is greater than 30 inches, and Las Vegas is
allowed to utilize their pools while Atlanta citizens will not be
allowed to swim under the current restrictions.
Economic Impact:
Pools in Atlanta are a major source of recreation along with taxable
revenue. The pool industry accounts for approximately $150 million
of direct revenue and $55-$60 million of taxable revenue to the state
of GA. The economical impact on the pool industry does not end with
taxable revenue. The trickle down affect is estimated to be approximately
$300 million in GA.
Social Impact:
While the economical impact is staggering, in my opinion, the social
impact is just as bad. There are 1,190 pools in Cobb County; this
number includes HOA pools, commercial and hospitality industries,
and government-owned facilities, all but private pools. The American
Red Cross has, approximately 3000, certified lifeguards in the metro
Atlanta area that will be hard press to find work with pools closed.
Georgia’s families will also be affected by the water bans;
the American Red Cross reported 8,674 swim lessons in 2007. This number
is not indictive of the actual swim lessons conducted last year. Many
organizations and individuals do not report to The American Red Cross
when conducting lessons such as the YMCA, Starfish Aquatics, and Swim
American. In 2007 in Cobb County alone, there were 72 summer swim
leagues that comprise of 7,500 children. As you can see, pools provide
an excellent source of community recreation, healthy activities, youth
programs and relaxation. They are vital to public health and fitness
and they are in danger.
What is being done?
With the drought restriction still in place in December 2007, the
pool industry rushed forward with an emergency meeting held by the
GA Chapter of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)
with over 300 pool and spa professionals in attendance. At this time,
the APSP stepped forward with a lobbying group, public relations firm
and a data research company to organize a campaign to demand change
in the current regulations regarding the water restriction of pools.
The change in restrictions can only be made with your help. The pool
industry stands ready to aid legislators in revising the current restriction
and will do so with reasonable concessions in mind.
What you can do:
I hope this letter has addressed the issues and educated you to the
point of action. I implore you to let your voice be heard as parents,
homeowners, tax payers, and voters. Below are several links for further
reading and a list of county and state government links.
Please contact every local and state public official and let them
know that pools are essential to recreation, fitness, and health and
demand protection for swimming pools and youth swim programs.
Dr. Carol Couch Governor
Sonny Perdue – www.gov.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Georgia State Legislators-
www.legis.state.ga.us
Environmental Protection Division Cherokee -
www.cherokeega.com
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Cobb-
www.cobbcounty.org
Suite 1152, East Tower DeKalb - www.co.dekalb.ga.us
Atlanta, GA 30334 Douglas –
www.co.douglas.ga.us
404-657-5947 Fulton - www.fultoncountyga.gov
Gwinnett - www.gwinnettcounty.com
Paulding - www.paulding.gov
Learn More:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/01/04/poolside_0105.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/01/04/pool_0105.html
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A350163
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/ES-pubs/RR681.htm#Water%20Sources
Information Compiled
by Rebecca Smith January 14, 2008
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Links
of Importance
Georgia Lawmakers are ready to open the pools
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/01/29/poolbiz0130.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Atlanta Journal Constitution
Article Describing Drought Scenarios
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/01/04/pool_0105.html
Water Saving Tips around
the House:
http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont162_lang0_70.pdf
Water Saving Tips for Swimming Pool Owners:
http://www.parpools.com/Page/Help/Pool/Drought_pools.html
APSP Press Release
http://apsp.org/APSPWeeklye-ad/oct17-07/PR.droughtoct07.doc
Ripple effect from pool ban? Unfilled and not maintained, they could
breed bacteria and mosquitoes.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/01/13/pool01131.html?cxntlid=inform
Georgia Legislative Updates
http://www.georgialegislativewatch.com/
Gwinnett County Water Restriction information.
http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/departments/DWR/pdf/faq_drought_level4.pdf
WATER BAN
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/01/28/poolbusinesses_0129.html
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