AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIs 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.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Jim Osterman
Comments
By Solution
February 4, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Thats pretty bad that even the city council of Sandy Springer is Whining. Why in the world is this indivdual a city council? Does (he,she) not even have an idea that our water supply is in jeopardy? Inconvenienced is not the word ,its more like selfishness. Which is one of the biggest reasons for this water ban. One positive outlook for the outdoor water ban is Education, people are finally realizing the importance of our natural resouces. If the ban is lifted on swimming pools, this will really send a surety message, and don’t forget to lift the ban on landscaping that is a much bigger industy. What exactly is the importance of a kid learning to swim? We don’t live in a water world. The need to be resource conservative is what parents should teach their kids , parents sure was’nt taught this. You talk about ideas to come up with that don’t involve reasources, why not come up with ideas that will fill these pools? Be Creative People!!! Rain Harvesting is a good start. www.rainsaveratl.com
By Ron
February 6, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Seems to me that most cities could repair one water leak that would compensate for filling all municipal pools. Swimming is more than just something for kids to do. It is a way of cooling off in 90-100 degree heat and gives them relief from the heat. I could see opening public pools and large subdivision pools but possibly not everyone’s private pool if necessary
By ed
February 6, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
pools will be open. dont worry people.
people like “Solution” above can cry all they want.
By dave
February 6, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
if my pools not open my HOA better go down this next year.
By dale
February 6, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Solution:
We dont live in a water world?? Why dont you tell me how much of the earth is water? Idiot!!
By Solution
February 6, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Solution has nothing to cry about. My pool will be open this year, I don’t depend on others (GOVT.)for my water supply, I create water and store it. I’m simply offering the same ideas to dependent people like you ED, enjoy your infesed, dry pool this year ED.
www.rainsaveratl.com
By none
February 6, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
two words…Proof Read
By Atlanta Native
February 6, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
First of all, the pools are mot drained, so they do not need millions of gallons to fill them. Second, community pools make more sense than people using their own pools, which they will do anyway. The solkution is simple, engage in actual enforcement of the ban - I saw the same people watering day after day on my morning walks all summer - no enforcement took place. I know many people who saw the ban as affecting others, but NIMBY. Enforce the ban and neighborhood pools will be a “drop in the bucket”.
By norm
February 6, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Hey Ed, Your “we don’t live in a water world” comment is just plain stupid. Hey let’s ban jogging too…people always take showers after jogging. Nobody has to run because we don’t live in a pavement world…oh wait. Well, you get the point.
Providing pools for recreation isn’t going to dry up the lake. What’s the impact of pools? if it was 1/10 of 1%, I would be surprised. Let’s focus on real solutions not straw arguments that only make you seem clueless.
By norm
February 6, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Hey Jim, Your “we don’t live in a water world” comment is just plain stupid. Hey let’s ban jogging too…people always take showers after jogging. Nobody has to run because we don’t live in a pavement world…oh wait. Well, you get the point.
Providing pools for recreation isn’t going to dry up the lake. What’s the impact of pools? if it was 1/10 of 1%, I would be surprised. Let’s focus on real solutions not straw arguments that only make you seem clueless.
By norm
February 6, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Hey Jim, Your “we don’t live in a water world” comment is just plain stupid. Hey let’s ban jogging too…people always take showers after jogging. Nobody has to run because we don’t live in a pavement world…oh wait. Well, you get the point.
Providing pools for recreation isn’t going to dry up the lake. What’s the impact of pools? if it was 1/10 of 1%, I would be surprised. Let’s focus on real solutions not straw arguments that only make you seem clueless.
By norm
February 6, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Hey Jim, Your “we don’t live in a water world” comment is just plain stupid. Hey let’s ban jogging too…people always take showers after jogging. Nobody has to run because we don’t live in a pavement world…oh wait. Well, you get the point.
Providing pools for recreation isn’t going to dry up the lake. What’s the impact of pools? if it was 1/10 of 1%, I would be surprised. Let’s focus on real solutions not straw arguments that only make you seem clueless.
By Cindy
February 6, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
I live in Brisbane Australia. We have had just as bad, if not worse water situation over the past 4 years. We still kept our pools. Studies have shown that swimming pools benefit a community more than you may think. We have a 1000 gallon rain water tank attached to our gutters for watering the grass and garden, washing cars, laundry. Stop flushing the toilet - use water saved in buckets during showers for that, rewear clothes, take 4 minute showers. Once you start counting your drops, you will realize how wasteful you all have been. I lived in Altanta for 5 years before moving here. Based on my experience, you all will have difficulty working as a team for the common good. I hated the place.
By norm
February 6, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Hey Jim, I didn’t mean to call you stupid. I was actually referring to the comment by “Solution”. I edited my post and didn’t change the name. Sorry ‘bout that! Hey Solution…what a stupid comment!
By Solution
February 6, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Dale, Do you have any idea what a water world is? None of the earth is water, the earth is mostly made of rock my friend and 70% is covered with water. Thats the key word COVERED. I bet you thought the earth was made of water and the moon is made of cheese. This what your parents taught you? A water world would be a world that is completly COVERED with water, then of course you might need to know how to swim or maybe grow gills. Or be a unknowledgable snake like you!! IDIOT is to good of a word for you.
www.rainsaveratl.com
By Greg
February 6, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
dave, review your docs regarding your fees vs your boards performance, or lack of use in a case like this. The fact that the pool doesn’t open will not exempt you from anything generally, and isn’t a guarantee that any fees will be reduced. Plan on the “savings” in this years budget to be applied to the reserve fund associations must have and rarely do (because of the board trying to keep fees as low as possible).
By Solution
February 6, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Norm, What was you tring to do get the point across? My point being , living in a water world would be the only reason one would definitely have to learn to swim. One does not have to swim to survive. So, can you smart* people please tell me the importance to teach a kid to swim, because you have a pool and are inconsiderate to conserve water for potable reasons. I learn to swim in a lake, do you have to have a pool to teach? Take some advice from Cindy from Austrlia , don’t be dependent on our municapal water supply collect Rainwater. Stop Whining! Be creative! And don’t blame me ,cause my pool will be open all year! Ha! Ha! Ha! Stupid is , is Stupid does and a person that cannot keep their pool open without municipal water : Right STUPID DOES
www.rainsaveratl.com
By Kevin Smarty Jones
February 6, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Look folks, the national weather center did what it took to end our drought. They said we would have a very dry winter. Look now we have rain every week and it snowed TWICE in one week.
So thank the National Weather Center for this prediction. We will be fine by the end of spring.
Lot’s of rain coming!
By CWS
February 6, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
The narrow-mindness of some of these comments is unbelievable ! Children benefit in many ways from swimming. Some children do not have access to any other safe source of water. The water in Georgia belongs to Georgia first, and no other entity should have claim till we are finished with it; i.e. treated waste water. Florida and Alabama do not have to negotiate with the Gulf of Mexico about water they use, so they should have no claim on water falling in Georgia. Till our esteemed govenor pulls up his pants and defends us we are always going to be short-changed
By Jim Osterman
February 7, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Norm:
No offense taken. I’ve been called worse.