Push for safer pool drains

ST. PETERSBURG - New state regulations will cost thousands of public and commercial swimming pool and spa operators thousands of dollars.

The state rules also supercede federal regulations that cost the same operators hundreds of dollars last year.

Both levels of government intend to prevent deaths that occur when people get trapped by the suction of pool and spa drains. The federal approach included new drain grates and valves that detect and react to blocked drains.

Grand Shores West resort CEO Bobby Popplas says the federal requirement cost "around $1,000." But meeting the new state requirements will be "close to 15,000. 13 to $15,000."

"There's heavy equipment involved" explains pool repair contractor Doug Tilney. "There's excavation involved, you have to re-pipe the entities of water that are in question, the pipe size is now being dramatically increased."

The state has required "collector tank" systems on swimming pools since 1977 and on hot tubs since 1995. Now all public and commercial pools and spas have to be retrofitted. That affects about 11,000 pools and spas statewide.

The state's approach completely eliminates drain suction by letting water flow out by gravity into a "collector tank". The pump then pulls water from the tank and returns it to the pool.