Construction crews are hard at work in Bolingbrook, Illinois, trying to replace swimming pool drains in time for the busy summer swim season.
The Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park, which is run by the Bolingbrook Park District, must replace the drains at its facility to meet new state guidelines, according to the Bolingbrook Reporter. As part of the excavation and repair, crews will install underground vaults and drain mechanisms before resurfacing pool areas. Though initial budget estimates placed the cost of repairs at roughly $26,400, a review by Illinois Department of Public Health officials, who oversee public pool safety, determined the cost would be significantly higher.
"Swimming can be hazardous due to the numerous diseases that may be transmitted by contaminated water and the dangers associated with diving accidents and falls on wet surfaces," according to the IDPH.
To minimize risks, IDPH requires the state's swimming pools to meet certain safety and quality standards. These standards can apply to areas of pool operation ranging from bather preparation areas to the water treatment system. Federal guidelines require pool drain systems to be altered in such a way as to prevent swimmers from being trapped under water. Alterations to systems could include anti-entrapment drain covers.
