Home | Pool News | Las Vegas Sets Max Limit of 600 Sq. Feet on Residential Pools
The pool industry has been fighting the good fight in the halls of public perception about the drought. The issue is impacting building codes in Las Vegas as the Southern Nevada Water Authority looks for new ways to reduce its outdoor water usage.
The SNWA has been working with local authorities to change building codes for new residential pools in an effort to mitigate water supply strains. Under the new guidelines all new residential swimming pools and spas will be limited to a total of 600 square feet per property under the new rules that have been approved. Single-family residences will ultimately be the target audience for this new program.
In a 6-0 vote, the Clark County Commission approved a revision to the service regulations of the Las Vegas Valley Water District that will put a cap on the size of new pools being built in single-family properties. The new rule prohibits construction of pools larger than 600 square feet.
Meeting attendees from throughout the pool industry proposed new ideas and suggested alternatives that would save up to 30% more water than the current 600 square foot restriction they hoped to prevent from being implemented.
Under the suggestions outlined by pool industry professionals, pools would have been allowed to increase in sized according to lot size up to a certain cap. To go beyond the limit, pool owners would have to pay an additional $40 to $50 per square foot water conservation fee. Home owners who install an automatic pool cover, which the pool industry claims can cut evaporation by over 90%, would be eligible for exemptions. Ultimately, these suggestions would be denied in favor of the plan to limit swimming pool sizes.
The issue is sure to have an immediate impact on Ozzie Enterprises Inc.’s pool construction business, according to Ozzie Enterprises president Kevin Kraft. He estimated that up to 95% of his clients will be affected by the new size restrictions.
Joe Vassallo, owner of Paragon Pools in Las Vegas also met with reporters regarding the County Commissioners’ vote limiting residential pools to 600 square feet. They then traveled to a pool under construction and talked about the impact the new rules would have on pool construction.
The pool industry has been making a desperate and concerted effort to alert the public as well as trade professionals that drastic changes are being proposed in light of the drought. Pool Magazine first began discussing the drought back in September of last year when it first became apparent that laws were being proposed that would directly impact the industry. Mainstream news outlets have been slow to pick up on the fact that the drought has legislators changing laws in favor of draconian water-saving measures that will hinder multiple industries.
Karey Zimmerman, architectural manager at Aspire Design Studio says he wishes he would have gotten the news sooner. With at least 10 projects currently under development that may need to be redesigned, Zimmerman said he “knew nothing about the proposed regulation” until just recently. Given that the home and pool permitting process can take months for approval, he has legitimate concerns that these projects won’t meet the Sep. 1 deadline.
“We have clients that have spent thousands and thousands of dollars in design work and now we’ve got to go back because in many instances these are designed to balance around pools.”, Zimmerman told news sources.
That the news has come too late to effect meaningful change in time to stop legislation simply means that the industry has more work to do. It also means that the industry has its work cut out so far as changing public perception is concerned.
Still, many are working tirelessly to stop new rules from being implemented that will prevent pools from being filled as well as other measures. These new laws will undoubtedly hurt the industry in areas affected by the drought.
The new changes in Nevada will take place this year. With many cities looking to institute new water saving measures, it may not be very long before we see another major metropolitan area look to follow suit. This in itself illustrates how important of an issue the drought is and how quickly it can polarize the industry in a given city.
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Pool News coverage brought to you by Pool Magazine's own Marcus Packer. Marcus Packer is a 20 year pool industry veteran pool builder and pool service technician. In addition to being a swimming pool professional, Marcus has been a writer and long time contributor for Newsweek Magazine's home improvement section and more recently for Florida Travel + Life. Have a story idea or tip you'd like to share with Pool Magazine? Email mpacker@poolmagazine.com your story idea.
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A man was found dead after being swallowed by a sinkhole that opened up in a private swimming pool. The incident transpired in Israel where authorities are still trying to figure out what caused two men to be swept away by the receding water after a sinkhole sprang up within an inground swimming pool at a private property in central Israel. One was recovered dead at the scene on Thursday afternoon.
The body was located by search crews in the town of Karmei Yosef after a four-hour recovery operation conducted by rescue personnel who were lowered deep underground. The search was hampered by concerns that tunnels extending from the sinkhole could lead to a second collapse.
It took rescuers several hours of searching before they were able to uncover the body of the man who had gone missing. The other 34-year-old man who had been trapped for some time, was saved and treated for minor injuries to his lower body.
Employees of a private company were having a pool party when the incident occurred. About 50 people were present at the time of the accident, according to one guest.
“The water level suddenly started receding and a hole opened up, creating a vortex that swept two people inside,” the guest told news sources.
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She said a sinkhole opened a vortex formed which swallowed up the victim in a matter of seconds. She yelled at her coworkers to get out of the pool as the sinkhole emerged, but they initially assumed it was a game. Authorities say, fortunately, there were only 6 people in the pool at the time or injuries and casualties could have been far greater.
“Seconds later, the ground just dropped… I watched two people just disappear,” she added.
According to police, an investigtion into the incident is currently underway, and they plan to find out if the pool was operating with the proper license.
People love their dogs and man’s best friend fits right in around the home. Consequently, many feel that their swimming pool is a natural extension. After all, your dog enjoys the rest of the backyard; therefore, why should the pool be off limits?
While your pool may be a welcome and inviting retreat for guests and members of your family, bringing your dog in for a swim may not necessarily be a good idea according to experts.
One thing is true, dogs in general, are usually pretty good at swimming. Some breeds such as the Labrador are even considered great swimmers. However, it’s a myth that all dogs can swim. Just like people, some are better at it than others. In general, there are a few dog breeds that are not very proficient at swimming at all.
While the Basset Hound, Boxer, Bulldog, Dachshund, Pug, and Pekingese are some of the most popular dogs; these breeds typically have more difficulty when it comes to swimming. This is due to their anatomy and facial structure which is less suited for swimming than their canine cousins. While dogs who are not proficient by nature can be trained to swim, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will truly enjoy it.
A startling statistic is that over 5,000 pets drown in swimming pools each year. Consequently, the swimming pool may actually impose more of a danger than a benefit when it comes to your pet. Dogs also have the potential to “dry drown” which can happen when they get water in their lungs while swimming. Issues like inflammation, infection and other problems can arise up to a week later. This can happen even with dogs who are proficient swimmers during horseplay in the pool. What most experts usually recommend for those water-bound pups who enjoy the pool is that they wear a life jacket suitable for dogs. The American Kennel Club recommends this both in the pool as well as around natural bodies of water.
Allowing your dog to swim at the lake or river may also be a potentially bad call. A lesson that pet owners in North Carolina learned last month when a toxic algae bloom killed several dogs that had been swimming in Jordan Lake.
When dogs drink from or just swim in contaminated water, they might become poisoned according to the ASPCA. Blue-green algae can cause severe brain or hepatic damage if consumed.
We’ve discussed the health and well-being of dogs when it comes to pools as well as safety concerns, but what of the water sanitary issues that come from allowing pets in the pool? Is it safe for family and guests to swim in the pool with dogs?
“Having just one dog in the pool is the same equivalent of having a raging pool party with 50 people,” said Cole Daasnes of Poseidon Pool Service, “Dogs typically carry dirt, oils, and bacteria in their fur and paws which really have no place in the pool. This is in addition to their fur which can clog your filter and make it tougher to keep your pool clean.”
Pet owners who enjoy swimming with their dogs should be aware of the safety and maintenance issues. Keeping the pool clean for swimmers after a pet has been in the pool should be of top priority. Dogs do not have the same control over their bodily functions that people do and may urinate in the pool. They also frequently have fecal matter clinging to their fur which can contaminate the water and lead to Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI’s) such as E. coli, Hepatitis A, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia.
When weighing the pros and cons, there are reasons why some pool owners allow their dogs to swim in their pool. While swimming is a fun and healthy activity, dogs are liable to enjoy a safer recreational activity like just being allowed to play at the park or going for a walk.
If you are going to allow your pet in the pool, consider purchasing a pool float for dogs that allows them to keep you company poolside without actually getting in the water. Some folks have even built pools specifically for their dogs to enjoy separately from the one the family uses. Another good idea is to purchase a pool alarm that will notify you if your pets accidentally get into the swimming pool.
While we’re a big fan of man’s best friend, the best advice is don’t, and for all of the aforementioned reasons. If however, you do insist on swimming with your dog, shower immediately after and make sure to bathe your dog as well. Also never throw your dog into the pool, it can shock them and cause them to immediately
It’s always a good idea to give your swimming pool a liberal dose of shock after dogs swim in it, the same as you would after a large pool party. Remember to keep your chlorine around 1-3 ppm and keep your pH and alkalinity balanced.
Pool industry analysts are concerned that a recession could mean less discretionary dollars spent in the backyard over the next few years. In June, inflation increased to 9.1%, the highest it’s been since 1981. Today, the dollar is at a near 1:1 ratio with the euro. The last time there was a parity between the two currencies was 20 years ago. With questions of a looming recession, over 70% of Americans think we may already be in the middle of one.
The majority of financial analysts are convinced we already are headed for a downturn, according to Fortune. Consequently, many consumers have already begun to cut back on their discretionary spending, particularly for home improvement projects.
A recent poll conducted by CreditCards.com showed that 47% of consumers surveyed said they don’t plan to increase their discretionary spending. Furthermore, Forbes forecasted that 7 in 10 people feel less confident making a major purchase than just 6 months ago. These numbers indicate confidence has sunk to pre-Covid levels and it appears that consumers have begun to curtail making larger discretionary purchases.
Gas prices surged to well above $5.00 a gallon throughout many areas of the U.S. on the heels of the situation in Ukraine. Prices have only now slowly begun to come back down. As of today’s writing, the national average for a gallon of gasoline stands at $4.57. Reportedly 26% of consumers have begun to belt tighten during conditions where they’re spending more at the pump as well as at the grocery store.
These cost-cutting measures to combat rising inflation are what we’ve seen occurring throughout the U.S. and indicative of what transpired in the years leading up to the Great Recession. Over 70% of economists surveyed by the Financial Times said they expect a recession to occur by the end of 2023.
While many organizations within the pool industry have reported record-breaking sales over the last two years, several quarters of decline have already begun to erode gains made during the pandemic. Rising costs of materials and a rapidly shifting consumer environment are predicted to impact sales through the end of ’22 and well into ’23.
During the height of the pandemic, the industry experienced an explosion in terms of demand for new pool construction. Consumer interest in improving the backyard was at an all-time high as many were quarantining in their homes, avoiding travel, and choosing to reinvest in their outdoor living environment. Building a swimming pool became a top priority for many homeowners.
The term “unprecedented demand“ suddenly became a buzzword on everyone’s lips during the pandemic. Builder and consumer confidence was suddenly at an all-time high. Those who truly know this industry can tell you that change happens at near glacial speeds during the normal run of things. To see a spike in demand the types of which we experienced was indeed unprecedented.
The facts are that inevitably what goes up, must come down. Nothing could be more true than how pool companies performed in the face of an economic downturn like the one that we saw during the Great Recession. The fact is that if things continue their current course we could very well experience an “unprecedented contraction” in the pool industry.
Inevitably, some of the largest firms have been the first to feel the changing economic climate. This is indicative by how stocks are performing across the board throughout the pool industry.
Presently, the Nasdaq is down roughly 29% YTD and the S&P 500, which had its worst first half since 1970, is off by roughly 19.5%. Consequently, it appears that a reversal of fortune for some of the largest pool companies has also been felt simultaneously. Since the start of 2022, the Big 3 are down an average of -43.21%.
It is a fact that the pool construction industry is directly tied to new home construction. Given that a large portion of consumers who purchased a swimming pool over the past three years was based on pent-up demand in the market, new construction is needed to keep pace.
As the market begins to cool, the trajectory for new sales takes on a different path that has led many analysts to reset expectations. Additional analysis showed during the month of May, the market for new home construction declined by 14%.
Higher prices, labor problems, and shortages of equipment and materials mean that building a home or for that fact, a swimming pool has ultimately become more expensive and for some is becoming out of reach.
The ongoing housing crisis in our country means that in states like California where the median home price is now $797,000; a minimum annual income of $158,000 is required to qualify. The Fed’s plan to increase mortgage rates means that it will become even tougher to buy a home. This slowdown indicates that the housing supply will remain strained, leaving buyers under historic pressure.
Consumer confidence declined for the sixth month in a row in June, according to the National Association of Home Builders, a clear sign that the market is cooling down. Consequently, both builders and consumers are taking a “wait & see” outlook as rising mortgage rates continue to soften demand.
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