Southern Pool Alliance

Georgia Chapter APSP Best Management Practices

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 06:57:58 PST

~ Georgia Chapter

Pool Industry Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Regarding Water Usage

1. ONGOING SERVICE COSTS LESS.

· Maintain your pool all year long. Don’t let it turn into a swamp.

· It costs more in water and chemicals to bring a pool back than to maintain it throughout all seasons.

2. SAVE THE RAIN.

· Temporarily plug the overflow grate in your pool to capture and save rainwater. Monthly monitoring will prevent any overfilling. This will save hundreds of gallons (thousands of gallons in commercial pools) each year.

3. STOP ANY UNNECESSARY WATER LOSS.

· Fix any leaks you have in your pool structure, equipment, or pool plumbing.

· There are several companies that specialize in this area for pools.

· Turn off your auto-fill and only fill as needed.

· Perform backwashing and filter maintenance only when required per manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you comply with any state and local restrictions on backwashing and water/chemical disposal.

4. REDUCE EVAPORATION AND SAVE ENERGY.

· If your pool/spa has a heater, cover it whenever possible to minimize heat loss and maintenance costs.

· Heat your pool/spa on demand whenever possible, rather than running the system when you know it will not be in use.

5. COMBINE REPAIR/RENOVATION PROJECTS

· Drain your pool only when necessary (i.e. when TDS levels are too high, or when repairs/renovations are necessary).

· Combine repair projects (tile repair, resurfacing, plumbing, leak repair, etc.) so that everything is repaired at once and you eliminate the need to drain the pool multiple times.

· When possible, try to schedule repairs/renovations for off-peak times (i.e. Fall and Winter).

Pool safety concerns unfounded in S.C.

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:49:33 PST

The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals’ Views on the Suction Entrapment Provisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:12:50 PST

Alexandria, VA (January 16, 2009) — Promoting consumer safety in the construction and use of pools and spas is a major part of the mission of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP). Our organization and its membership fully support the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (Act) regarding suction entrapment. We helped craft the requirements of the Act and worked rigorously to help get it passed. We developed the ANSI / APSP-7 Suction Entrapment Avoidance Standard, which meets or exceeds all the requirements of the Act.

Pool And Spa Safety Law Aimed At Preventing Drain Entrapments of Children Goes Into Effect This Week

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:55:37 PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2008 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is again reminding public pool and spa owners and operators nationwide that the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act becomes effective on December 19, 2008. This law requires installation of anti-entrapment drain covers and other systems as outlined in the Act. The Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007, and is designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas. Congress gave all affected pool and spa operators one year to comply with this law. (Click on the headline to read the full release)

VGB Act on NBC Today Show

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:18:52 PST

The NBC morning news show, TODAY, featured a video news story on the Virginia Graham Baker Act and its impact on pools. National attention is building on this issue. Click on the headline above to view the video news report.

South Carolina SPA Contacts

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:49:44 PST

For more information about pool and spa issues in South Carolina, contact Mike Oyer, SPA admiinistrator for South Carolina at:

Mike Oyer
9 Asterbrook Ct.
Simpsonville, SC 29681
864-399-9266
mailto:mikeo@rwbsales.com

Tennessee SPA Contacts

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:45:28 PST

For more information about pool and spa issues in Tennessee, contact Richard Petty, SPA admiinistrator for Tennessee at:

Richard Petty
Petty Pools
160 Bentley Harris Way
Gordonsville, TN 38563
615-683-4106
linkbelt@dtccom.net

Decision to come soon on lake flow reduction

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:18:36 PST

November 22, 2008 - Atlanta Journal Constitution -- Staff reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a decision could come soon on whether to reduce the flow of water from lakes on the South Carolina-Georgia border. South Carolina and Georgia have asked for a reduction in water flow through the Thurmond Lake dam through February to conserve water in the upper lakes. Corps spokesman Billy Birdwell said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fishery Service on Friday endorsed the plan to restrict the flow, but only through January. Click HERE to read the full story.

Tri-state water wars fought on many fronts

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:10:05 PST

November 30, 2008 - Gainesville Times - Harris Blackwood writes, the 18-year-old dispute over water between Georgia, Florida and Alabama is a tangled web that includes seven federal lawsuits in three different court systems and a plethora of plaintiffs. There are six suits that have been moved to the Middle District of Florida, where a federal judge from Minnesota, Paul Magnuson, will preside over the cases. Gov. Sonny Perdue told a Republican Governor’s Conference in Florida earlier this month that Florida is using environmental arguments to mask the real issue in the water war. Click HERE to read the full story.

Georgia SPA Contacts

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:03:04 PST

For more information about pool and spa issues in Georgia, contact Teresa Christmas, SPA admiinistrator for Georgia at:

Teresa Christmas
2841 Old Winder Jefferson Highway
Jefferson GA 30549
706-367-5398
Teresa Christmas: E-mail

Welcome to the Southern Pool Alliance

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:53:07 PST

Welcome to the Southern Pool Alliance.

The Southern Pool Alliance is dedicated to building and strengthening the network of the South's pool active community. This includes, pool builders and contractors, pool owners, parks and recreation managers, hotels and motels, apartments, swimming associations, homeowners association, pools servicing companies, civic associations and YMCAs.

It is easy to join the SPA. Just sign up below or on any page. It's free and it entitles you to free e-newsletters and updates on pool news, information and activities in your area. Our mission is to provide you with the most up-to-date information on pool activity while building a network for pool support.

Please sign in and join us!

Rain barely dents drought

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:44:52 PST

November 30, 2008 -- Aiken Standard -- Mike Gellatly reports, Over the last 48 hours, most of South Carolina, and the Southeast, has been feeling the edge of some depressing weather, but some much needed rain fell on the drought-stricken area. Although the rain doesn't make for the prettiest holiday season, it is something that Aiken and much of the Southeast needs desperately. Aiken County sits over two levels of drought, meaning the need for water is somewhere between severe and extreme, according to the United States Department of Agriculture's Drought Monitor. Click HERE to read the full story.

Dry winter likely to worsen drought

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:06:56 PST

November 26, 2008 -- Myrtle Beach Sun News -- Bruce Henderson reports Drought continues to dog Charlotte and the western Carolinas - and winter, normally a time for depleted groundwater and streams to recover, looks dry. Greenville, in Upstate South Carolina, has a 13.4-inch deficit. Click HERE to read the full story.

Poor economy pumps up gyms

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:59:25 PST

November 18, 2008 -- WBIR-TV -- Jim Matheny reports that rising healthcare costs and a slumping economy have pumped up business for some local gyms. Officials with YMCA of East Tennessee said they have seen a significant increase in membership numbers and usage of memberships. "We've seen an influx of members just because it's kind of an escape for people now with the economy struggling," said YMCA Wellness Director Erin Merten. She added, "They can't afford to take a vacation, but here they can take their kids to swim in the pool, play basketball and that sort of thing." Click HERE to read the full story.

Tennessee Holding Water

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:29:06 PST

February 2007 -- Tennessee Business -- Reporter Katie Porterfield writes, water, water everywhere. One glance at the state map and it’s apparent that Tennessee is blessed with blue gold. Fundamental to industry, agriculture, transportation, energy production and tourism, not to mention personal use, Tennessee’s water sources are as ample as they are vital to its economic development. “We have to come together with our neighbors and make good agreements in terms of sharing resources,” says Randy Gentry, water resources professor in the University of Tennessee’s civil and environmental engineering department and director of the Southeastern Water Resources Institute. Click HERE to read the full story.

Drought relief nowhere in forecast this winter

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:59:56 PST

November 26, 2008 -- The Charlotte Observer -- Bruce Henderson writes, Drought continues to dog Charlotte and the western Carolinas – and winter, normally a time for depleted groundwater and streams to recover, looks dry. Charlotte's rainfall so far this year is within 2.2 inches of normal, but that's false assurance. Most of the city's water supply flows from the west, the state's driest region. Asheville's rain total is 12.5 inches behind for the year. Parts of six N.C. counties in the state's western tip, along with northwestern South Carolina and northern Georgia, are back in exceptional drought – the severest stage – after improving a few months ago.

Lingering drought conditions prompt call for water conservation

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:44:23 PST

November 13, 2008 -- Haywood County News -- Columnist Bill Studenc writes, Buried deep last week in the Haywood County News and Asheville Citizen-Times were articles that caused the eyebrows of your friendly neighborhood columnist to rise toward the ceiling. “Waynesville water users asked to cut consumptions,” the headlines announced. “What's this?” I muttered to myself. “Have they accidentally re-run a story from back during the summer's long dry spell? Didn't they get the memo that the drought is over?” As it turns out, the drought has returned. Actually, it never really went away. Click HERE to read the full story.

North Carolina SPA Contacts

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:37:20 PST

For more information about pool and spa issues in North Carolina, contact Wendy Purser, Secretary/Treasurer for North Carolina at:

Wendy Purser
18841 U.S. Highway 1
Hampstead, NC 28443
910-270-1199
wendy@hampsteadpoolspa.com

NC Project Green - Water

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:29:22 PST

Over the last few years, North Carolina has begun to experience growing pressure on our water resources. The state’s rapidly increasing population in some areas, paired with persistently below average rainfall, continue to intensify the issue. At this site you can find great examples of what your NC agencies and universities are doing to use water wisely, as well as the Long-term Water Efficiency Plan Guide. Click HERE to visit this site.

What is the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:38:17 PST

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (Act) promotes the safe use of pools, spas and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment avoidance and by establishing a voluntary grant program for states with laws that meet certain minimum requirements as outlined in the Act. Effective December 19, 2008, the Act is being administered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To learn more about the Act, click HERE to read a summary developed by the APSP.