REPRESENTATIVE SEAN JERGUSON PROPOSES LEGISLATION TO KEEP SWIMMING POOLS OPEN THIS SUMMER

 ATLANTA—Georgia State Representative Sean Jerguson (R-Holly Springs) today announced that he has introduced legislation in the House that will keep public and private pools during hot summer months even if drought conditions persist.

“Georgia’s water issues are a matter of management, not a matter of water availability,” Jerguson said.  “According to official reports I have seen, pools present no strain on our state’s water resources and so for the Environmental Protection Division to attempt to choke the life out of this $150 million industry and leave our citizens in land locked areas without a way to stay cool this summer is simply egregious.”

Under current Georgia law, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is authorized to prohibit the filling of installed public and private swimming pools expect when necessary for health care or structural integrity.  House Bill 1005 removes the authority of the EPD to restrict the use of public, private or community swimming pools.

“When that hot summer sun beats down on us, many Georgia families spend their weekends by the local pool trying to stay cool and enjoying time together” Jerguson continued.  “Closing swimming pools is simply an unnecessary step that would not result in significant water savings for our state.”

###