One of our intrepid Aquatics Fans went to the county health department and made PDF's of all of they pool-related docs they had for Encinal and Emma Hood swim centers. The reports are all included at the bottom of this page but, sorry to say... somewhat out of order and a few are upside down.
Most of these reports (from 1996 to present) tell us that "Pool chemistry is in compliance" and the usual minor infractions are lights, loose rails, pop-offs (pool siding), and signs that need to be repainted.
What is interesting is that, while the new filter system rules are from the mid-1990's, there are several mentions about the filtration system that do not mention the new rules. For instance, in Pool_Tests_02 on page 10, the report states: "Filtration tank is rusty and leaking. Will be replaced when have funding" (Emma Hood - 2007).
On that same doc, page 5, report says "filtration system has leak" (Emma Hood - 2008). Then, on page 4, the filters are not even mentioned for Emma Hood. Only minor infractions such as loose handrails, broken stair treads, and worn depth markers...... yet "good clarity" in a report for February 2009.
In short, there is a long history of the pools passing inspection with the current filter conditions.
Meanwhile, regarding the VGP (anti-entrapment drain covers)... those don't show up until March and July 2010 inspections (docs 3 and 4) and even then -- only for Encinal. I don't see these mentioned for Emma Hood. The reports do say, for Encinal: "Close pool until VGB scope of work submitted approved and certified. See 7/1/10 letter. Secure/replace missing main drain/equalizer, suction cover(s) with approved type" (Pool_Tests_03, page 9.)
Meanwhile, we understand that the drain covers were replaced for Emma Hood but, as noted in the Superintendent's update:
Until late last week, the District believed that the City’s contractor had completed necessary safety repairs in compliance with the law. District staff learned last week that the County may not be satisfied with the repairs despite an independent engineer’s certification that the repairs are satisfactory. Additionally, the County has also stated that the pools fail to meet water filtration standards.
So, while we await the official stamp of approval for our drain cover fixes (remember... there isn't enough suction to entrap anybody with our archaic pool system anyway) the question remains... why is the filter system suddenly a pool-closing issue as well?
Similar Pool Closures in Alameda County
The Wall Street Journal posted a story on Alameda county pool closures in September. The WSJ talks about Alameda county's strict enforcement of the rules and the lost revenues of the pools as they were shut down during prime summer months.
Piedmont's pool was shut down for a month and they lost at least $20,000 in revenue.. Even though they had compliant covers installed 2 years ago, it looks like they were closed for not filing the right paperwork.
But in Alameda, the county immediately began closing up to 10 pools a week beginning July 1. That hit facilities like the Piedmont Swim Club. The club's board president, Tim Rood, says the organization likely lost at least $20,000 in revenue during its 28-day closure.
Mr. Rood says that even though the pool had compliant drain covers installed in 2008, an Alameda County inspector shut down the pool because the drain certification had yet to be filed. When the club pointed out the Sept. 30 deadline, the county said the closure was no longer due to the drain covers but rather with a minor issue involving the pipes below the pool, says Mr. Rood. The pool reopened Aug. 9 after the club spent $12,000 to changes to the pipes.
So are Alameda's swim centers closed because of a paperwork snafu? Why are we suddenly required to adhere to a 15-year-old filter system rule for which we qualify as "grandfather"? Why are both centers closed at the same time when we can't find evidence that Emma Hood was out of compliance?
SPECIAL NOTE: A big thanks goes out to the Piedmont Swim Club, who closed the pool to their members to let the high school water polo game scheduled in Alameda to be played in their pool. A matter of fact, many local clubs have been reaching out to us. The Harbor Bay Club in Alameda has been allowing use of half their pool to the Islanders and Masters swimmers in the evenings. Also, a couple of USA Swimming teams have reached out to the Islanders... inviting us to practice with them. Thank you El Cerrito, we appreciate the offer.
