WASHINGTON — Thousands of public pools nationwide will be taking a fresh look at their safety systems after federal regulators changed course Wednesday on measures required to keep swimmers from getting trapped in pool drains.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted 3-2 to revoke guidance it provided pool operators about a 2008 law aimed at preventing drain suction from trapping swimmers underwater. The new guidance requires public pools with a single main drain to have a backup system that could shut the suction of the drain. Previously, they had been told they could use a new “unblockable” drain cover, but the concern is the drain cover could break, come loose or be improperly installed.
The move means public pools with those single-drain systems would have to buy new and costly backup systems. Some pools may close if they don’t have the new equipment by May.
