Garland, TX – As the dog days of summer start to wind down and with them the temperatures in our backyard pools, it may be tempting to save money on chemicals and let the water go during the offseason. It’s important to know that while the Garland Health Department does not monitor private pools, they will intervene if you live next door to a pool that is not being maintained in a healthy manner. Failure to do so can create health and safety hazards related to both drowning risk and the spread of disease by mosquitoes that may nest in stagnant, untreated water.
If you see a pool that looks anything like the one pictured above, it’s vital that you contact the Health Department (972-205-3460) so they can help remedy the situation. Here’s how they respond when a report is made:
- Respond within 48 hours
- Take photos and treat the water with larvicide
- Issue a notice of violation, giving the pool owner 15 days to correct the situation
- Re-inspect, and if the violation persists another notice of violation issued, this time with 48 hours to correct
- If the issue persists, the Health Department will drain the pool at the homeowner’s expense
The other critical issue that the Health Department will address is damaged or missing fencing around a pool. Here’s how they respond to fencing issues around a pool:
- Respond immediately
- Install temporary fencing, if needed
- If the fence cannot be repaired, they will drain the pool
- Report fencing issues to Code Compliance
There’s nothing better than a well-maintained pool to make summer fun and to help stay cool as the weather heats up. When the weather cools off it’s vitally important to keep our neighborhoods safe from the hazards that those same pools can pose if not properly maintained.
For more information or to report an unsafe pool, contact the Garland Health Department at 972-205-3460.
