Is it technically necessary to weekly close a community pool weekly?

[loopy123]

I am in an HOA where there is a pool maintenance/lifeguard company that mandates closing the pool once per week to allow "cleaning" and are considering adding additional "cleaning" days. Is this really necessary or is it just a ruse for them to save money to not pay lifeguards?

Chemically, if proper levels of chemicals including chlorine are maintained throughout the week, it should be safe always. Hotels and waterparks are able to do this, so why not a maintenance company...

As one who has maintained my own pool for many years, closing a well maintained pool seems preposterous. Am I wrong?

Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Your HOA is likely governed by the state of Texas. You might start there and confirm or deny. Most states, an HOA pool is considered a public pool. As a result you are likely bound by the regulations. Then you can confirm or deny that a pool needs to be closed for cleaning...

For your state...

Laws and Rules - Public Swimming Pools and Spas | Texas DSHS

Learn more about the laws and regulations pertaining to public health sanitation in the state of Texas.

www.dshs.texas.gov

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Most service companies will BLAST a pool with chlorine (shock it) to keep it “clean”. They don’t want the liability of anyone saying the high FC hurt them and state laws require a pool remain closed until levels go below 4ppm FC. So while it makes no logical, technical, or common sense, that’s just how government regulations work. Everyone has to pay the “stupid tax” because no one wants to be responsible for their actions.

 

[Lake Placid]

It’s likely a policy/agreement of the HOA and not a regulation. I have an account at a condo complex that closes Mondays for maintenance. Although I maintain them twice a week and don’t need a closure for routine cleanings (I complete it before the pool opens) if I have to backwash it’s a 3 hour process due to the design of the system….this is when I am happy for the Monday closure. I can also accomplish more in depth repair projects for them on the closed day. Depending on the sanitation system, the need for super chlorinating may or may not be a factor. Regs in my county allow up 8ppm FC without necessitating a closure.

 

[reggiehammond]

Your local city/municipality likely has their pool codes posted online. I'd find those...

 

[loopy123]

Thank you all for the replies!! @PoolStored that link was very helpful for Texas. Based on the TX law it appears there is no need to close the pool so long as a minimum of 1.0ppm FC is maintained (25 TAC §265.193(c)). Interestingly, there is a legal requirement for logging the FC levels at a min of daily and 3x day if lifeguards are present.