Pools had 3 years to be made safe

Whether it’s a toddler on “floaties,” a teenage swim team champion, a weekend warrior training for a triathlon or a senior swimming for recreation, anyone entering the water at a licensed Illinois pool or spa deserves the peace of mind to know that the facility’s drainage system is safe and in compliance with state laws. Public safety is our first priority at the Illinois Department of Public Health, and our recent action to close swimming facilities statewide that failed to meet state suction entrapment rules falls squarely in line with that mission.

Between 1999 and 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 97 incidents of suction entrapment, including 12 deaths. Such tragedies are easily preventable. Several options are available for pool facilities to make safety improvements to drainage systems, including the installation of dual main drains or safety drain covers.

In December 2007 the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was passed mandating suction entrapment regulations for all pools and spas. Since August 2008 the Illinois Department of Public Health worked with swimming facilities statewide by sending six letters to inform them that they must become compliant with state suction entrapment laws by Oct. 1, 2011.

The overwhelming majority of licensed swimming facilities — at least 4,000 — made necessary improvements and are still open and operating safely. Currently, about 400 pools and spas are still closed to the public. Of that number, most are already working with our staff to make changes.

Until then, our goal is to continue to protect all who swim in licensed Illinois pools. Their safety is paramount, and will always be the department’s first priority.

Dr. Craig Conover

Acting director

Illinois Department of Public Health