AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 04
Monday, February 4, 2008
Is a pool-less summer really necessary?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s unusual to think about swimming pools is February, but last year’s drought has forced a conversation while we’re still in the middle of winter.
If things don’t change on the water supply front there is a chance community pools will sit dry this summer, as it would take thousands of gallons to refill them, then more to keep them full all summer. But there is already there is a move afoot to petition state officials for exemptions.
I have an e-mail from one city council member urging Sandy Springsteens to make their feelings known to the state legislature and the Environmental Protection Division (EPD). Some of the reasons cited include the importance of kids learning to swim, not to mention giving them an outside activity during their break from school.
At the other end of the argument is, well folks, we’re in a drought. We need to be conserving water and the decision to let the neighborhood pools operate business as usual shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Why is it we’re all so eager to do the right thing until we might be personally affected, possibly inconvenienced, by the right thing being done? Does every neighborhood pool need to be open at the expense of our - for the moment - endangered water supply?
If a parent want their kids to know how to swim, can’t they make other arrangements this summer? A little homework and the resourceful parent could find indoor pools that are in operation right now that offer swim lessons.
As for giving kids something to do this summer, I’m all for them being outside in the sunshine and fresh air. But will the lack of community pool mean those same kids are going to have nothing else to do but watch TV and play video games? Can’t we as a community come up with other ideas that don’t involve tapping a natural resource?
What would it say about Sandy Springs if we were to successfully get our pools open during a drought? That we only care about an environmental issue when it doesn’t affect our quality of life?
Would it really be so bad in this town for the pools to stay dry for one summer? Maybe we’ll get lucky and there will be enough rain through the rest of winter and into spring, this whole discussion may become moot.
But let’s think about what it says about us when we prefer a short-term fix against long-term problem.
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