4 Investigates: Swimming pool drain covers

Posted at: 05/20/2009 11:33 PM | Updated at: 05/21/2009 3:43 PM
By: Jeremy Jojola, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

New drain covers have ridged surfaces

New federal laws for public swimming pools could save a child's life—but as an Eyewitness News 4 investigation found, not all pools implement the safety measures.

This is the first swimming season where thousands of public pools are required by law to have specially-designed drain covers. Without them, the suction could trap children under water.

It was a horrific accident for a 6-year-old Minnesota girl named Abagail Taylor that drew the nation's attention to pool drains.

In 2007, the girl had 21 feet of her small intestine sucked out of her body when she sat on a kiddy pool drain.

"You don't think about your child being disemboweled in 18 inches of water," her father, Scott Taylor, said.

Nine months later, Taylor died.

In 2002, the granddaughter of former secretary of state, James Baker, also died at the bottom of a hot tub. It took two men to pull her body from the powerful suction of the drain.

"She was at the bottom of that spa, and I couldn't pull her up," mother Nancy Baker said.

Virginia Grame Baker's death prompted the enactment of a federal law that requires every public pool at apartment complexes, hotels and city-operated pools to have drain covers designed to prevent entrapment.

The old ones are flat. New drain covers are bumpy and perforated, preventing strong suction.

The law became effective in December, so we decided to check in at 20 local pools before the upcoming swimming season.

For the most part, we found pools had the right drain covers. But at one Rio Rancho hotel, it appears the drain cover doesn't meet federal standards—the cover wasn't even secured over the drain.

Zachary Fullbright of Matt's Pool and Fireplace said it is crucial and worth investigating a pool's drain before you take your child to the summer swimming hole.

While the city and state inspect pools for water quality, the federal government is responsible for enforcing the drain law.

A public pool owner found to be violating the federal law could be fined up to $2 million. Private pool owners don't have to follow the law—but it is recommended if you have a pool, you get the drain covers.

To report non-compliance, go here.

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