NEWBURYPORT— During what's been one of the warmest weeks this summer, the refreshing water in the pool at Country Club Estates condominiums on Woodman Way has been little more than a tease for residents of the complex.
Inspectional issues have kept the in-ground pool closed this month, drawing complaints from a number of residents, some of whom purchased inflatable kiddie pools to seek relief from the heat in their front yards.
But the pool could possibly open as soon as today, pending compliance of three outstanding issues.
A July 6 inspection of the pool by Newburyport Health Director Robert Bracey turned up issues that prevented the pool from gaining the city's OK to open.
But after his second inspection of the pool yesterday afternoon, Bracey said that if he received proof of compliance on three outstanding pool safety issues, he would issue the permit this morning to allow swimmers back in the water.
Bracey needed a certificate proving the pool had passed a bacterial water quality test, as well as proof that lifeguards were certified by the Red Cross and that they had been adequately trained in chemically testing the pool water by Country Club Estates' certified pool operator.
All three and more are part of the state's Sanitary Code and safety regulations for seasonal pools, such as the one at Country Club Estates. All pools must be inspected annually and meet the state's standards to protect the swimmers who use them.
But too often, pool owners call community health inspectors at the last minute, which can result in delays in opening and led to displeasure by those eager for a dip to cool off on hot summer days, as is what happened this year at Woodman Way condos.
Country Club Estates is managed by Bay State Property Management, of Somerville, and for the second year in a row, representatives of the company have called Bracey's office wanting an inspection right before they hope to open the pool. Bay State Property's return call to the office went to voice mail, and a further attempt to reach the office for comment was unsuccessful.
"I've told (pool operators) not to call the day before they want to open," Bracey said. "It's an unrealistic request."
Bracey said with seasonal pools, which are closed down for most of the year, issues can pop up. For example, safety signs — taken down for the winter — may not have been put back up, service to emergency call boxes may have not been turned back on, first aid kits may be in need of replenishing.
"It doesn't always happen, but there are usually issues, and we need to do a re-inspection," he said.
Depending on how many issues need to be resolved, it can take from three to 14 days for everything to be cleared up for the re-inspection, Bracey said.
Water quality is an especially important item in protecting the health and safety of those who swim in pools. Bacterial water quality tests are a must for opening a pool, Bracey said. State regulations also require lifeguards to properly test pool water four times a day to check bacteria and pH levels, which determine the acidity or alkaline levels in pools.
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