Southern Pool Alliance

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:36:38 PST

The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals has developed an excellent FAQ document that answers most of quesions about the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The information is intended to provide important technical information with regard to the Act. It is not intended as legal advice. As a non-profit membership organization, APSP is not able to provide legal advice. Pool and spa professionals should consult with their own legal counsel with regard to any questions of law or interpretation of the Act or any other federal or state law, regulation, code or ordinance. Click HERE to read the FAQs.

Entrapment Avoidance: Learn about the new codes!

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:50:00 PST

The APSP Georgia Chapter invites you to find out what you need to know to comply with the federal law and state codes mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. Also learn how the ICC adoption of the ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) will affect anti-entrapment, fencing and abandoned pool regulation in your local area. We also will discuss future pro-active drought plans.

When: Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Time: 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Where: Atlanta Hilton Northeast
5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross

R.S.V.P. no later than Friday, December 5, via phone or e-mail: tchristmas@apsp.org; 706-367-5398.

What We Do

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:23:00 PST

On this site, you can find the latest news and information for the pool active community in the affected states, including announcements on pool industry meetings, developing key issues, water management and legislation.

What is the "pool active" community?
The pool active community is actually quite large. It certainly includes the pool industy, builders, suppliers and contractors; but it also includes other communities where pools are important elements in their daily lives and operations. This includes hotels and other lodging groups, apartments, parks and recreation sites, YMCA's and other community organizations, public and private swimming organizations and community and neighborhood-based pool clubs.

Who We Are

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:15:00 PST

The Southern Pool Alliance is a project of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, Region 10. Our goal is to provide a web site that serves the "pool active" communities in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. On this site, you will read news and information regarding the issues that affect pools, water management, swimming and pool construction and development. Everyone is encouraged to sign up for the e-newsletter and other pool alerts that will be offered on an as-needed basis. Please tell your friends and pool associates about the site and encourage their active participation.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the world's largest international trade association and leading industry advocate representing the swimming pool, spa, and hot tub industry, with a mission to enhance the business success of its members. APSP members adhere to a code of business ethics and share a commitment to public health and safety. Our member companies include manufacturers, manufacturers' agents, distributors, designers, builders, installers, retailers, and service professionals. APSP promotes professional best practices through education, certification, standards, research, and safety.

South's water supplies to become more uncertain

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:34:05 PST

AP staff reports that Southeastern states should diversify their water sources and boost efficiency measures to prepare for an uncertain supply that may become even more unpredictable amid climate change, a new report released by a national conservation group concludes. The National Wildlife Federation released a report Thursday urging regional water planners to pour more resources into plugging leaks and increasing water efficiency rather than building new reservoirs. Click HERE to read full story.