With summer on the horizon and temperatures rising, Wake County inspectors are hard at work to ensure the safety of 1,393 public swimming pools throughout the county. From city municipal pools to apartments, condominiums, subdivisions, homeowner associations and clubs, 74 inspectors visit each pool to conduct inspections and issue permits.
"Summer in Wake County means fun in the sun and enjoying the pool, but safety comes first," said Susan Evans, vice chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners. "If we issue a permit, it means that the pool is up to date on safety requirements and ready for swimming. We are committed to preventing waterborne illnesses and keeping swimmers healthy and safe.”
Pool inspections can be requested beginning April 1 and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure your pool is ready for the Memorial Day holiday, May 27, the unofficial start of summer, the following must be done by May 13:
- Pool permit fee of $300 has been received.
- Pool has current Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB) documentation on file.
- Inspector has been contacted to request an inspection.
Wake County inspectors ensure that emergency and safety equipment is accessible and working properly. They test chlorine and pH levels, which measure the level of chemicals or acidity in the water. The inspectors also ensure there are no trip hazards on the pool deck, verify proper signage is posted and check the pool pumps and suction covers. If any critical violations are found, such as the absence of disinfectant in the pool or the presence of algae, pools are not allowed to open until the pool operator corrects the violations and schedule a re-inspection.
Year-round pools are inspected throughout the year, and private pools at homes are exempt from the rules.
For more information about pool inspections, please visit our website at wakegov.com/pools and check out the Frequently Asked Questions section.
