6/27 Summerbrook pool closed for hygenic mishap

Just wanted to let you know Summerbrook pool is closed as of 2:45 today for a hygenic mishap.
Southernwalk pool is open and is scheduled to be open until 8pm tonight
Community center pool is currently open but will be closing today at 4:50 for a swim meet


Staci

 

LMAO - where do you finds these pics...you have a great sense of humor.

 

I also have a LOT of free time. However....

http://icanhascheezburger.com/
http://www.lolcats.com/

I grab the ones I like and put them on my server in the basement as many sites don't like hot linking.

 

Quite a treat, I tried to take my Daughter to the pool tonight for the first time since the vandalism stuff where we had nowhere to go and both the Summerbrooke and Souther Walk pools were closed because of "vomit" as the sign on the front so tastefully put it.

The other pool was closed because of a swim meet.

I know there is nothing you can do about hygenic mishaps, but man this is getting frustrating.

 

What if a large fine were implemented on the parents of whomever vomits or does whatever in the pool? $250, let's say?

As a parent myself, I know I'd be watching my kids a lot more closely than I already do for signs of dehydration or needing to visit the bathroom.

We've invited in a kiddy sized blow up pool for the backyard this summer. At least I have *something* for the kids since we can't count on the pools.

 

Forget swim diapers - make everyone carry barf bags.

 

Why do they keep letting Nicole Ritchie use the pool?

 

I just don't understand why it keeps happening. I have been going to the pool since I was a little kid and pretty much lived there all summer long. No one ever threw up....and we had maybe 2 accidents per summer. Something is not right.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I don't remember this happening very often at all when I was a kid.

 

It is VERY frustrating. We've only made it to the pool TWICE this year! Every time we get suited up and head out it is either A. lightening waaay off in the distance or, B. closed for whatever reason.

I wouldn't want to impose fines, cause well, accidents are accidents....but I think people should definitely watch their kids much better!

 

I feel for you all. The pool at the community I currently live in is not nearly as crowded (it only serves about 130 homes), but we almost never have contamination issues (I think we had one all last year and none so far this year). It doesn't make sense to me why this should be happening so often.

Perhaps your lifeguards are too quick to diagnose and call such events? Seems like they are looking for a reason to close--it's a pretty sweet deal for them if they can get paid to sunbathe while the pool goes through a filtration cycle.

I also think your rules about thunder/lightning are way too strict. Our pool only closes for 15 minutes for thunder and 45 minutes for lightning. And our lifeguards are pretty careful to try to distinguish actual thunder from non-thunder noises such as dump trucks.

With all the problems you all are having, it seems like the pools are more trouble than they are worth. And please don't think I'm criticizing the resident volunteers--my wife & I run our own community pool, so we know how much work it is and what a thankless job it can be.

 

Actually they are busy cleaning up the mishap rather than just sunbathing. Also it should be noted that a number of times it someone pointing the mishap out to the guards whether it's a responsible parent telling the staff that their child had an accident or someone discovering said accident.

 

How long does it take to scoop the poop or larger chunks or vomit? The filtration system does most of the work.

Aside from the vandalism, closures occur at a ridiculous frequency, IMHO. We had the same issues last year and now have them again this year. When will discussed changes be made? When will the 15 minute break be instituted? Can new, faster pumps be installed?

As often as the pools are closing, it may be more prudent to post when they are OPEN, less typing that way!! (OK, I know it is not that bad, just frustrating).

 

If the poop or vomit is spread, it takes longer to clean up. If one pool (or two) close, the other pools become that much busier and guards are sent to those pools. I've got to imagine at this point that the guards (who probably read the boards since everyone else does) are tired of being accused (or whatever) everytime a pool closes or closing the pool because they want to.

I think a 15 minute break is a great idea. I know growing up we always had 15 minute breaks. It wasn't until I moved to Loudoun that I discovered 10 minute breaks. That and parents actually paying attention to their kids has got to help.

 

I think part of the issue is that it seems that parents always have a 'snack' or sugary drinks available for the kids to eat, which is not always a good thing near pools where kids can also accidentally ingest pool water.

 

To address some of the comments made:
1. Back "when we were kids", the rules either weren't as strict or were ignored. I remember as a kid at a public pool where someone vomited in it, they just scooped it out and it was never closed
2. The guards still stay at the pools even if they are closed. They don't get to go home.
3. We are looking at reducing the time the pools are closed for thunder. I agree it is currently too long.
4. Already looked at trying to get a bigger filtration system. It was prohibitively expensive.
5. We could look at longer breaks and we have just reduced the number of young guests that can be allowed to be brought into the pools. We are also looking at raising the age kids can be allowed to go to the pools without adult supervision.
All of these things will probably help, but also will be met with lots of protest.
Way too many young kids (and their friends) are being dumped off at the pools unsupervised. The life guards are spending way too much time as babysitters and not as life guards.

 

Spoke with the County Health Department, pool closures for feces/sputum contamination is 6 hours.

The CDC has recently adopted new guidelines based on the chemical balances in a pool and closure times are SIGNIFICANTLY reduced.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/fecalacc.htm

Lo Co Health Dept. is in the process of trying to get the new standards approved.

 

The age that kids can be unattended at pools is the same as when I was a kid. I assume it is mostly kids under 11 that defecate and vomit in the pool.